Legislation
Tonight's historic passage of Healthcare Reform also makes history for America's mothers as language from The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act becomes LAW!!!
Finally, the plight of millions of American women, infants and families has been acknowledged and the tide forever turned! With this long sought federal mandate, states will find more support for PPD programs, researchers will find funding encouragement to continue their search for etiology and cure, and communities will harken to respond to this unmet need. Grants will be made available to fund a variety of entities and programs charged with caring for women suffering from postpartum depression.
Read more...
Watch the Press Conference
Earlier News
The Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression and Research and Care
Act was initiated on June 28, 2001, less than a month after
Melanie took her own life. This Act, which has not yet passed through
all of the official loopholes to become legislation, is intended to
expand research into postpartum depression and psychosis, as well as
offering grants for essential medical care to those who suffer from
postpartum depression and psychosis and their families. To read more
about the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression and Research and Care
Act, and to find out how you can help this Act grow into legislation,
visit these sites:
Learn
more about the Melanie Stokes Blocker Act (HR-20)
Read
the text of Bill HR-20
(When Rep. Bobby L.
Rush reintroduced the Bill, the number changed
from H.R. 846 to H.R. 20.)
UPDATE - APRIL 2005
U.S. REP. BOBBY L. RUSH CONTINUES FIGHT FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
WASHINGTON, D.C . (April 28, 2005) - Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL)
announced today that he and a growing network of his congressional colleagues,
women, families and postpartum depression groups across the country
will come together in support of reintroduction of his bill, H.R. 20
- Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act
on May 5, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. (EST), Washington D.C. in the Rayburn Building
(Room 2218). Joining Congressman Rush will be Congressman Rush Holt
(D-NJ) and women who have suffered from postpartum depression including
First Lady Mary Jo Codey, wife of Acting New Jersey Governor Richard
Codey. Other congressional representatives are scheduled to be in attendance.
Driven by the increased number of reported cases of women who have
either harmed themselves or their children since the bill was first
introduced in 2001, Congressman Rush expressed optimism this time around
as more women speak out and his congressional colleagues step up with
support.
"Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of all mothers and does
not discriminate against race, class or income," said Rush. There's
no greater cause worth fighting for than preservation of families. By
targeting women, my bill ensures the entire family unit is healthy and
prosperous.
Last September, the Subcommittee on Health Committee on Energy and
Commerce, of which Rush is a member, heard testimony from Carol Blocker,
mother of Melanie Blocker Stokes, in support of his bill during the
hearing, "Improving Women's Health: Understanding Depression After
Pregnancy."
The bill currently has 50 Members of Congress as co-sponsors. The
bill also has the support of Postpartum Support International and other
national support networks.