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Senate hearing highlights ‘Momnibus 2’ package to expand postpartum care and supports
Summary
Senators and dozens of stakeholders told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that Senate Bill 246 would expand maternal mental-health screening, create a provider consult line, invest in EMS delivery training and support independent birthing centers.
Senators and health professionals on Tuesday heard hours of testimony supporting Senate Bill 246, a broad maternal-health package nicknamed “Momnibus 2” that its prime sponsor, Senator Denise Ricciardi, said would expand postpartum screening, increase access to home visits and peer support, and provide training for emergency responders in labor and delivery.
The bill would let pediatric providers bill a mother’s insurance for maternal depression screening during well‑child visits, create a psychiatry access/consult line for clinicians, expand postpartum and pediatric‑appointment leave protections, and fund a study and supports for independent birth centers, supporters told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Why it matters: New Hampshire witnesses and clinicians said postpartum mental health problems are widespread, frequently undiagnosed and a leading driver of maternal mortality in the region. Supporters argued Momnibus 2 builds on a 2023 expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage and would create new touch points so mothers are more likely to be screened and treated.
What supporters said: Nurse and legislator Paige Beauchman and pediatric and maternal‑mental‑health clinicians described clinical gaps when mothers attend pediatric appointments but not postpartum visits. Heather Martin, a maternal‑mental‑health navigator at Dartmouth Health Pediatrics, told senators that pediatric settings are underused opportunities for screening and referrals.
Clinicians and organizations including NAMI New Hampshire, MomsRising, New Futures and hospital representatives said the bill’s provisions for a psychiatry consult line and peer supports would make it easier for obstetricians, pediatricians and primary‑care providers to connect patients to treatment.
What opponents said: Insurance representatives, including the New Hampshire Insurance Department and several commercial carriers, said they were generally supportive but asked for precise mandate language and a revised fiscal analysis after amendments. They and state officials said some provisions will require further drafting and possible federal approvals for state plan changes.
Committee action: During the committee’s executive session the committee adopted an amendment and voted to report SB 246 out of committee as "ought to pass as amended." (See actions[] for vote detail.)
Context and next steps: Sponsors said the bill grew from stakeholder conversations, public comment and an earlier Momnibus 1 package that expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage. If the bill advances it will go to the Legislature’s Finance Committee for any fiscal adjustments identified during drafting and to the full Senate for further action.
Sources: Committee hearing testimony from the bill’s prime sponsor, clinicians, advocacy organizations and insurance officials.
