Bill

Bill > SB2874


MS SB2874

Postpartum depression; create new laws and revise existing provisions related to.


summary

Introduced
01/20/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
02/05/2025
Passed
Dead
03/04/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Require Health Care Professionals To Screen Birth Mothers For Depression At The Time Of Birth; To Require Health Insurance Issuers To Cover Such Screening; To Provide Exemptions To Health Insurance Issuers That Are Required To Cover Such Screening; To Create New Section 83-9-47, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit Insurers Providing Prescription Drug Coverage From Requiring Or Imposing Any Step Therapy Protocol With Respect To Drugs Approved By The United States Food And Drug Administration (fda) For The Treatment Of Postpartum Depression; To Define "insurer"; To Amend Section 43-13-117, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit The Division Of Medicaid And Certain Managed Care Entities From Requiring Or Imposing Any Step Therapy Protocol With Respect To A Drug That Is Approved By The United States Fda For The Treatment Of Postpartum Depression; To Create New Section 41-140-1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define Terms; To Create New Section 41-140-3, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The State Department Of Health To Develop And Promulgate Written Educational Materials And Information For Health Care Professionals And Patients About Maternal Mental Health Conditions; To Require Hospitals Providing Birth Services To Provide Such Educational Materials To New Parents And, As Appropriate, Other Family Members; To Require Such Materials Be Provided To Any Woman Who Presents With Signs Of A Maternal Mental Health Disorder; To Create New Section 41-140-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Any Health Care Provider Or Nurse Midwife Who Renders Postnatal Care Or Pediatric Infant Care To Ensure That The Postnatal Care Patient Or Birthing Mother Of The Pediatric Infant Care Patient, As Applicable, Is Offered Screening For Postpartum Depression And To Provide Appropriate Referrals If Such Patient Or Mother Is Deemed Likely To Be Suffering From Postpartum Depression; To Create New Section 83-9-48, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define "insurer" And Require Insurers To Provide Coverage For Postpartum Depression Screening; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes comprehensive provisions for screening, supporting, and treating postpartum depression in Mississippi. It requires health care providers who render postnatal or pediatric infant care to offer screening for postpartum depression to birth mothers within the first six weeks after giving birth, using evidence-based guidelines like the Bright Futures Toolkit. If a screening indicates the mother is likely experiencing postpartum depression, the provider must offer appropriate referrals and discuss available treatments. Health insurance issuers and the Medicaid program are mandated to provide coverage for these screenings without copayments or deductibles and with sufficient reimbursement to ensure broad access. The bill also prohibits insurers from imposing step therapy protocols for FDA-approved postpartum depression medications. Additionally, the State Department of Health must develop educational materials about maternal mental health conditions, which hospitals and healthcare providers must distribute to new parents and women showing signs of mental health disorders. The bill defines key terms like "birth mother" and "depression" and includes provisions to protect patient confidentiality. These measures aim to improve early detection, treatment, and support for mothers experiencing postpartum depression, with the law set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 03/04/2025)

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