The 2025 legislative session is in full swing in Jackson, and state lawmakers are working hard to get results for Mississippians as the session will come to a close just two and a half months from today. As many important issues make their way to the House floor, legislators must pay close attention to a dire health crisis affecting our state, often slipping under the radar of both sufferers and treatment providers due to lack of understanding and awareness.
This crisis is postpartum depression (PPD) and affects Mississippi’s most vulnerable—mothers and children. Without immediate action, we risk the safety and well-being of thousands of families.
PPD is an episodic major depressive disorder that can have severe, long-term impacts on the mother and the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development of her baby. It is a serious and life-threatening mental health disorder; time is of the essence when it comes to treatment.
One in five mothers in our state will experience these debilitating symptoms, exposing far too many to the dangers of the disease. Historically, this health concern has received inadequate attention in our state, leaving mothers at high risk of receiving improper treatment—or no treatment at all, as Mississippi is one of the “lowest performers” in the nation when it comes to maternal healthcare. Addition-ally, the percentage of new mothers in Mississippi experiencing PPD symptoms is remarkably higher than the national average.
Without hurried action, we will continue to risk the lives of thousands of mothers and the well-being of their children and families. Additionally, the negative effects of this status-quo approach are not restricted to the health of families alone. The state has lost $178 million in costs associated with PPD due to lost wages and delayed medical treatment. Mississippi lawmakers must seek remedies for this issue for the sake of our entire state.
This session, there is a legislative solution proposed by lawmakers to combat the high rates of PPD, and help ensure mothers receive high-quality treatment at the right time. SB2874 would address this issue from multiple angles. First, it increases awareness of PPD. By requiring hospitals to provide written materials regarding postnatal health, new mothers will be equipped with the resources to identify and seek treatment for postpartum depression should they start to notice symptoms.
Second, this bill would go one step further and require medical professionals to screen new mothers for this severe type of depression. If a new mother were to test positive, their physician would also be required to refer the patients to specialists who can provide appropriate care. This initiative would potentially address PPD symptoms before the condition escalates, protecting both the mother and baby.
This legislation would also eliminate the barriers that deter many women from seeking treatment. Complications with insurance companies can make the road to treatment a slow and rocky one. This legislation would ensure that all moms on private insurance and Medicaid would receive adequate reimbursement and coverage for their treatment.
Furthermore, this bill would eliminate the cumbersome step-therapy protocols implemented by insurance companies that often stand in the way of many women seeking treatment. By blocking private healthcare companies from implementing these arduous steps, life-saving treatment is less likely to be delayed.
It’s clear that mothers in Mississippi are facing a daunting health crisis. Lawmakers must recognize this largely overlooked issue and seek real, practical solutions. SB 2874 would provide families and doctors with necessary resources and directives to help struggling moms.
If we don’t seize this opportunity to codify postnatal healthcare into law, we are risking the lives of mothers and the well-being of their families.
Angela Ladner is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Psychiatric Association.