This week, the offices of Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) announced they are finalizing the new federal postpartum depression legislation for its anticipated victory in the U.S. Congress. The legislation, which was called the MOTHERS Act, has been slightly renamed as the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. This is in order to honor the mother whose name served as the title of the House bill that passed this fall. Melanie was a beautiful and successful new mother who committed suicide in 2001 while suffering from postpartum depression.
Many bloggers took part in a big legislative push this October by participating in Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act, hosted by BlogHer, Postpartum Support International and my blog Postpartum Progress. I believe the action many of you took through your blogs and your phone calls to speak out about the need for more education and better treatment had a huge influence on legislators moving forward so quickly. I hope we will continue to make our voices heard as we get closer to bill passage. It is expected that the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act may be passed in early spring or possibly sooner once America’s legislative bodies reconvene. It appears that Democratic support is substantial, but some Republicans still need convincing. Postpartum Support International president Susan Stone has been informed that she and others will be contacted when the timing is right for renewed advocacy supportive of the bill’s passage.
As many of you know, the 2007-2008 BlogHers Act has been focused on harnessing the power of women online and their blogs to address maternal health. This issue includes postpartum depression and related mood disorders, which can have a devastating effect on new mothers and their families.
