Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Lawmakers, advocates urge $ trust fund to grow perinatal mental‑health workforce
Summary
Speakers at a Joint Committee hearing urged the Legislature to create a perinatal behavioral health workforce trust fund (H2208/S1411) to expand training, diversify providers, and close gaps created by mandated postpartum screening and long wait lists.
Boston — Supporters of H2208 and S1411 told the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery that Massachusetts needs a dedicated perinatal behavioral health workforce trust fund to expand and diversify care for birthing people and new parents.
March of Dimes’ Chloe Schwartz, director of Maternal and Infant Health, said maternal mental health is a leading contributor to pregnancy‑related death and that “1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers will experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder.” She told the committee a trust fund would fund grants to grow training programs and help ensure more providers are available to meet demand.
The proposal responds in part to the 2024 Omnibus Maternal Health law that now mandates more screening. “More screenings equals more diagnosis,” March of Dimes’ testimony said, and “there is not the behavioral health care workforce available to meet that need for treatment.”
Why it…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
