IB 
Union Calendar No. 18 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 20 
[Report No. 111–48] 
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum 
depression and psychosis. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 6, 2009 
Mr. RUSH (for himself, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. FARR, Ms. 
HIRONO, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. BACA, Mr. KENNEDY, and Mrs. 
GILLIBRAND) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
MARCH 23, 2009 
Additional sponsors: Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Mr. CARNAHAN, Mr. MUR-
PHY of Connecticut, Mr. FILNER, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. MARKEY of 
Massachusetts, and Ms. SUTTON 
MARCH 23, 2009 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 6, 2009] 
A BILL 
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, 
postpartum depression and psychosis. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Melanie Blocker Stokes 
Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, 
and Support for Postpartum Depression Act’’ or the 
‘‘Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘postpartum condition’’ means 
postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis; and 
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services. 
TITLE I—RESEARCH ON 
POSTPARTUM CONDITIONS 
SEC. 101. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVI-
TIES. 
(a) CONTINUATION OF ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary is 
encouraged to continue activities on postpartum conditions. 
(b) PROGRAMS FOR POSTPARTUM CONDITIONS.—In 
carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary is encouraged to 
continue research to expand the understanding of the causes 
of, and treatments for, postpartum conditions. Activities 
under such subsection shall include conducting and sup-
porting the following: 
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(1) Basic research concerning the etiology and 
causes of the conditions. 
(2) Epidemiological studies to address the fre-
quency and natural history of the conditions and the 
differences among racial and ethnic groups with re-
spect to the conditions. 
(3) The development of improved screening and 
diagnostic techniques. 
(4) Clinical research for the development and 
evaluation of new treatments. 
(5) Information and education programs for 
health care professionals and the public, which may 
include a coordinated national campaign to increase 
the awareness and knowledge of postpartum condi-
tions. Activities under such a national campaign 
may— 
(A) include public service announcements 
through television, radio, and other means; and 
(B) focus on— 
(i) raising awareness about screening; 
(ii) educating new mothers and their 
families about postpartum conditions to 
promote earlier diagnosis and treatment; 
and 
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(iii) ensuring that such education in-
cludes complete information concerning 
postpartum conditions, including its symp-
toms, methods of coping with the illness, 
and treatment resources. 
SEC. 102. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LONGITUDINAL 
STUDY OF RELATIVE MENTAL HEALTH CON-
SEQUENCES FOR WOMEN OF RESOLVING A 
PREGNANCY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health 
may conduct a nationally representative longitudinal study 
(during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018) of 
the relative mental health consequences for women of resolv-
ing a pregnancy (intended and unintended) in various 
ways, including carrying the pregnancy to term and par-
enting the child, carrying the pregnancy to term and plac-
ing the child for adoption, miscarriage, and having an 
abortion. This study may assess the incidence, timing, mag-
nitude, and duration of the immediate and long-term men-
tal health consequences (positive or negative) of these preg-
nancy outcomes. 
(b) REPORT.—Beginning not later than 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and periodically there-
after for the duration of the study, such Director may pre-
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pare and submit to the Congress reports on the findings 
of the study. 
TITLE II—DELIVERY OF SERV-
ICES 
REGARDING 
POSTPARTUM CONDITIONS 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM. 
Subpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 330G the following: 
‘‘SEC. 
330G–1. 
SERVICES 
TO 
INDIVIDUALS 
WITH 
A 
POSTPARTUM CONDITION AND THEIR FAMI-
LIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants 
to eligible entities for projects for the establishment, oper-
ation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient sys-
tems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with 
a postpartum condition and their families. 
‘‘(b) CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.—To the extent practicable 
and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects 
funded under subsection (a) provide education and services 
with respect to the diagnosis and management of 
postpartum conditions. The Secretary may allow such 
projects to include the following: 
‘‘(1) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and 
home-based health and support services, including 
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case management and comprehensive treatment serv-
ices for individuals with or at risk for postpartum 
conditions, and delivering or enhancing support serv-
ices for their families. 
‘‘(2) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care 
management services that ensure the well-being of the 
mother and family and the future development of the 
infant. 
‘‘(3) Improving the quality, availability, and or-
ganization of health care and support services (in-
cluding transportation services, attendant care, home-
maker services, day or respite care, and providing 
counseling on financial assistance and insurance) for 
individuals with a postpartum condition and support 
services for their families. 
‘‘(4) Providing education to new mothers and, as 
appropriate, their families about postpartum condi-
tions to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment. 
Such education may include— 
‘‘(A) providing complete information on 
postpartum conditions, symptoms, methods of 
coping with the illness, and treatment resources; 
and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a grantee that is a State, 
hospital, or birthing facility— 
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‘‘(i) providing education to new moth-
ers and fathers, and other family members 
as appropriate, concerning postpartum con-
ditions before new mothers leave the health 
facility; and 
‘‘(ii) ensuring that training programs 
regarding such education are carried out at 
the health facility. 
‘‘(c) INTEGRATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.—To the 
extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary may inte-
grate the grant program under this section with other grant 
programs carried out by the Secretary, including the pro-
gram under section 330. 
‘‘(d) CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.—A grant may be 
made under this section only if the applicant involved 
makes the following agreements: 
‘‘(1) Not more than 5 percent of the grant will 
be used for administration, accounting, reporting, 
and program oversight functions. 
‘‘(2) The grant will be used to supplement and 
not supplant funds from other sources related to the 
treatment of postpartum conditions. 
‘‘(3) The applicant will abide by any limitations 
deemed appropriate by the Secretary on any charges 
to individuals receiving services pursuant to the 
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grant. As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, such 
limitations on charges may vary based on the finan-
cial circumstances of the individual receiving services. 
‘‘(4) The grant will not be expended to make 
payment for services authorized under subsection (a) 
to the extent that payment has been made, or can rea-
sonably be expected to be made, with respect to such 
services— 
‘‘(A) under any State compensation pro-
gram, under an insurance policy, or under any 
Federal or State health benefits program; or 
‘‘(B) by an entity that provides health serv-
ices on a prepaid basis. 
‘‘(5) The applicant will, at each site at which the 
applicant provides services funded under subsection 
(a), post a conspicuous notice informing individuals 
who receive the services of any Federal policies that 
apply to the applicant with respect to the imposition 
of charges on such individuals. 
‘‘(6) For each grant period, the applicant will 
submit to the Secretary a report that describes how 
grant funds were used during such period. 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may 
provide technical assistance to entities seeking a grant 
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under this section in order to assist such entities in com-
plying with the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘eligible entity’ means a public or 
nonprofit private entity, which may include a State 
or local government; a public or nonprofit private re-
cipient of a grant under section 330H (relating to the 
Healthy Start Initiative), public-private partnership, 
hospital, community-based organization, hospice, am-
bulatory care facility, community health center, mi-
grant health center, public housing primary care cen-
ter, or homeless health center; or any other appro-
priate public or nonprofit private entity. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘postpartum condition’ means 
postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis.’’. 
TITLE III—GENERAL 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
To carry out this Act and the amendment made by 
section 201, there are authorized to be appropriated, in ad-
dition to such other sums as may be available for such pur-
pose— 
(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and 
(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
years 2010 and 2011. 
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SEC. 302. REPORT BY THE SECRETARY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on 
the benefits of screening for postpartum conditions. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
the study required by subsection (a) and submit a report 
to the Congress on the results of such study. 
SEC. 303. LIMITATION. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or the 
amendment made by section 201, the Secretary may not 
utilize amounts made available under this Act or such 
amendment to carry out activities or programs that are du-
plicative of activities or programs that are already being 
carried out through the Department of Health and Human 
Services. 
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Union Calendar No. 18 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 20 
[Report No. 111–48] 
A BILL 
To provide for research on, and services for individ-
uals with, postpartum depression and psychosis. 
MARCH 23, 2009 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
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