Gillibrand & Heller Postpartum Depression Legislative Priority Passes Help Commitee

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dean Heller (R-NV) praised the passage of the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP). Included in this bipartisan legislation was Senator Gillibrand's and Senator Heller's postpartum depression (PPD) bill, the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act (S. 2311), which was included in Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander's manager's amendment.

"I am pleased that this legislation is now one step closer to becoming law," said Senator Gillibrand. "More than 400,000 women experience postpartum depression every year, but only 15 percent ever receive treatment. By encouraging routine screening and providing new connections to treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women, this bill will help improve the health of new mothers and children. I will continue to work closely with Senator Heller to move our bipartisan legislation forward."

"This legislation cleared a hurdle today on its march to the President's desk. With thousands of new mothers across the nation facing postpartum depression, we must keep it at the forefront. Nearly 1 in 8 women experience this condition. But with early diagnosis and proper medical treatment, 90 percent of mothers with postpartum depression are treated successfully. I want to thank HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander for his leadership on this important issue. I'd also like to extend my appreciation to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her support and commitment to this bipartisan legislation," said Senator Dean Heller.

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