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Answered by a visitor on Apr 27, 2009 8:58 PM - There is no mention in this bill of specific forms of medical caregivers involved in the treatment of postpartum conditions in new mothers. It is not likely that this bill would have any effect on what kind of medical professional a woman would choose to have attend to her prenatal care and delivery. At present in the United State, an expectant mother might choose to continue to see her general practitioner (for an uncomplicated pregancy), to go to a certified nurse-midwife (again, for an uncomplicated pregnancy, but for women who might seek someone who specializes in the care of pregnant women), or an obstetrician (for a more complicated or high-risk pregnancy or simply for a sense of well-being at being attended to by a doctor who specializes in prenatal care and birth). Certified nurse midwives (CNM) currently perform deliveries both in hospitals and homes across the United States. While the percentage of women who use a midwife for prenatal care and delivery is a small percentage of women giving birth in the United States, and coverage of home births may vary by insurance carrier, certified nurse midwives are highly trained and regulated in the United States and across Europe and many countries around the world. See the American College of Nurse-midwives for more information on training and education of CNMs: http://www.acnm.org/index.cfm.

Answered by a visitor on Apr 27, 2009 8:48 PM - There is nothing in the substance of this bill which requires or even suggests that new mothers take a psychological examination. What the bill provides for is research into the etiology and possible treatments of postpartum conditions (i.e., postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis); grants to develop improved screening techniques and/or educational programs for medical staff and new mothers, fathers and other relevant family members; and grants for the development of a public awareness campaign about postpartum conditions, in the effort to improve early diagnosis and treatment among women affected.

Answered by a visitor on Jul 17, 2009 11:41 AM - The bill does not require screening. However, the following section of the bill is troublesome on that point.

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.

How can The Secretary report on the benefits of screening unless a certain amount of screening has been conducted and the mothers tracked for a period of time to determine their postpartum mental status? I would expect trial screenings will be conducted, the results analyzed and the report developed. Having women opt out of the trial screenings would skew the results. Either way (mandatory or optional trial screenings), in two years the determination will be made as to whether or not the screening is effective. If it is, I would expect screenings will become part of normal postpartum care. Whether or not it will be mandatory remains to be seen. Having had 5 babies in the last ten years I can vouch for the increase in interest by the state in my mental affairs. So far, everything has been optional, but the tide seems to be turning. This bill opens the door pretty wide.