On Monday, October 15th at 4:15pm, perinatal mental health history was made as H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 382 to 3!! "What a thrill it was to watch from the Congressional Gallery as Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) made his final, victorious push for American, children and families," said Susan Stone, president of Postpartum Support International.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Carol Blocker (who lost her daughter Melanie to this terrible illness), Susan Stone and Postpartum Support International, and all the other people who have toiled for years to get this passed.
This is huge. Now we just have to get the MOTHERS Act passed and we’ll be IN BUSINESS! Money for research! Screening for new moms! Training for healthcare providers! Wahoo! Get your telephones ready on October 24th to make those calls to Senators!!!
