Committee approves substitute for bill requiring postpartum depression materials and physician assessment

The Health Committee adopted a substitute to House Bill 322 that requires the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) to develop educational materials about postpartum depression and requires physicians to assess mothers for postpartum depression and refer them to treatment when medically appropriate.

"For many postpartum depression is a reality. Over 9,000 moms across the state of Alabama suffer from postpartum depression. That's nearly 1 in 5 new mothers," Representative Holt Jones said while presenting the substitute and explaining the bill's goals to expand identification and referral.

Holt Jones told the committee the substitute removes language tied to Medicaid prior-authorization steps and that Medicaid had already changed its internal requirement to let physicians use discretion starting March 1. Committee members asked whether the Medicaid change occurred because of the bill; Holt Jones said it resulted from discussion among stakeholders.

Representative Mooney asked whether the Medicaid agency's response followed introduction of the bill. Holt Jones said the change was the product of conversations among agencies and stakeholders. Representative Showery asked how ADPH will fund the educational materials; Holt Jones said the work would be absorbed within ADPH's budget.

Representative Lipscomb moved to accept the substitute; Representative Gray seconded. The substitute was adopted on a voice vote. A subsequent motion to report the bill as substituted passed by voice vote; the committee chair announced the bill passes.