U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) on June 29 introduced a bipartisan bill to support and provide mental health resources for new mothers by increasing prevention, screening, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and access to care for maternal mental health conditions.
“As a mother of four, I am familiar with the struggles new mothers often face,” said Rep. Kim. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to support mothers and provide targeted resources to women and families who need it most.”
Reps. Bucshon and Kim signed on as original cosponsors of the Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal and Postpartum Health (TRIUMPH) for New Mothers Act of 2021, H.R. 4217, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA).
If enacted, H.R. 4217 would establish a Task Force on Maternal Mental Health that would be composed of federal agencies to review maternal mental health programs, coordinate resources and create a national strategy to better support new mothers and more efficiently spend taxpayer dollars, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Indiana has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country. This is an urgent health care challenge that we must address and the great news is that we can,” said Rep. Bucshon. “Research indicates that, in many cases, these deaths can be prevented through targeted solutions like increasing mental health support for pregnant and new mothers.”
H.R. 4217 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.