Bill Overview
Title: Into the Light for MMH and SUD Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 a program that addresses maternal depression and, among other changes, expands its scope to include mental health and substance use disorders. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a national hotline to provide mental health and substance use disorder resources to pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Sponsors: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Pregnant and Postpartum Women and their Families
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill targets maternal mental health (MMH) and substance use disorders (SUD), which predominantly affects pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
- The program's reauthorization and expansion indicate a continued or increased focus on maternal health, suggesting a significant population may benefit.
- The bill's provision for a national hotline suggests it aims for widespread accessibility, impacting women across various demographics.
- The bill's impact may be broader due to its potential influence on families, healthcare providers, and public health systems.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a broad group of up to 20 million direct and indirect beneficiaries in the US, including pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
- Costs and logistics limit the program to a certain throughput, affecting the direct availability of intensive services.
- Directly affected individuals may see benefits in mental health support and access to resources through the hotline.
- Indirectly affected individuals, such as family members or healthcare workers, may see improved family dynamics or workplace environments.
- The impact of the policy will be more pronounced among those currently lacking access to mental health resources and support.
- Differences in access due to geographic or socioeconomic factors may slightly skew who benefits most within the target groups.
- By improving maternal mental health and supporting substance use disorder treatment, the policy could improve long-term wellbeing, family health, and societal health costs.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The program sounds like a lifesaver for new moms like me who struggle with mental health post-birth.
- Access to a hotline could help on days when visiting a therapist isn't possible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Accountant (Columbus, OH)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My wife's struggle with postpartum depression has been tough on our family.
- I think having more mental health resources would really help us cope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Waitress (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to mental health services is limited in rural areas, this hotline could be crucial for people like me.
- I worry about feeling isolated during and after pregnancy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Nurse (Miami, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for nurses in understanding maternal mental health better could improve patient care.
- I think the hotline will help busy parents who can't easily access in-person services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More focus on mental health postpartum is never a bad thing.
- I feel I'd benefit from quick resource access during work hours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Unemployed (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 25.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Including substance use disorder in maternal care is crucial.
- I've struggled to find support tailored to both new parenthood and recovery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The hotline could be a vital tool for social workers like me, creating more referral pathways.
- Resources should accommodate all parents, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Marketing Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Moving into motherhood seems daunting, especially with mental health challenges.
- This program seems like it could provide critical support during transitions to parenthood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Manager (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any program that supports maternal mental health is good for families.
- With limited time, the hotline sounds like a practical tool for pressing mental health advice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for postpartum mental health is less discussed among students, but it's necessary.
- I'm concerned about balancing education and new motherhood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $22000000)
Year 2: $21000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $23000000)
Year 3: $22500000 (Low: $20000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $25000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $28000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Extent and effectiveness of outreach via the national hotline.
- Availability of trained mental health and substance use disorder professionals to meet increased demand.
- Potential cost savings from reduced long-term health complications.
- Variability in costs associated with expanding service provision.