I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 20 
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 
A BILL 
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, 
postpartum depression and psychosis. 
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, Re-
search, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act’’ or 
the ‘‘Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act— 
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(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 condi-
tions. 
(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. Ac-
tivities under such subsection shall include conducting and 
supporting the following: 
(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. 
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(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 
(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. 
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SEC. 102. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LONGITU-
DINAL STUDY OF RELATIVE MENTAL HEALTH 
CONSEQUENCES FOR WOMEN OF RESOLVING 
A PREGNANCY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Director of the National Institute of Mental 
Health may conduct a nationally representative longitu-
dinal study (during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 
2018) of the relative mental health consequences for 
women of resolving a pregnancy (intended and unin-
tended) in various ways, including carrying the pregnancy 
to term and parenting the child, carrying the pregnancy 
to term and placing the child for adoption, miscarriage, 
and having an abortion. This study may assess the inci-
dence, timing, magnitude, and duration of the immediate 
and long-term mental health consequences (positive or 
negative) of these pregnancy outcomes. 
(b) REPORT.—Subject to the completion of the study 
under subsection (a), beginning not later than 5 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and periodi-
cally thereafter for the duration of the study, such Direc-
tor may prepare and submit to the Congress reports on 
the findings of the study. 
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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 insert-
ing 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 prac-
ticable and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that 
projects funded under subsection (a) provide education 
and services with respect to the diagnosis and manage-
ment 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 
case management and comprehensive treatment 
services for individuals with or at risk for 
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postpartum conditions, and delivering or enhancing 
support services 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, 
homemaker services, day or respite care, and pro-
viding counseling on financial assistance and insur-
ance) 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 con-
ditions 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 re-
sources; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a grantee that is a 
State, hospital, or birthing facility— 
‘‘(i) providing education to new moth-
ers and fathers, and other family members 
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as appropriate, concerning postpartum 
conditions 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 
integrate the grant program under this section with other 
grant programs carried out by the Secretary, including the 
program 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 
grant. As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, such 
limitations on charges may vary based on the finan-
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cial circumstances of the individual receiving serv-
ices. 
‘‘(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 
reasonably 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 
services on a prepaid basis. 
‘‘(5) The applicant will, at each site at which 
the applicant provides services funded under sub-
section (a), post a conspicuous notice informing indi-
viduals who receive the services of any Federal poli-
cies 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 
under this section in order to assist such entities in com-
plying with the requirements of this section. 
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