On Wednesday, March 10, Congress passed the federal FY22 budget, which includes funding for specific MMH programs:

This is an increase of $2.5 million over FY21 spending levels, a significant "win"

for those experiencing MMMH conditions. MMHLA successfully advocated for these funding increases while many health-related programs did not receive budget bumps.

On Monday, March 14, Members of Congress introduced new legislation to authorize and expand programs to address MMH. Into the Light Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Act of 2022 makes MMH programs permanent, including:

Dedicated MMH hotline to provide 24/7 voice and text support in English and Spanish. Hotline staff will offer information, resources, and brief interventions for individuals and families impacted by MMH conditions. Into the Light authorizes and provides additional funding for both culturally- and linguistically-appropriate support, substance use disorder support, and increased public awareness. Bill authorizes $10 million a year.

Grants to states to create programs to address MMH conditions. This program launched in 2018 and was funded at just $5 million a year. In the first year of the program, 30 states and territories applied for grants, but only 7 states received grants due to the limited budget. Into the Light will provide grants to at least 25 states and territories, and will expand allowable uses to include assistance for mothers receiving treatment, programs that address disparities, coordination with existing maternal / child health programs, outreach, and awareness. Bill authorizes $24 million a year.  

Interested in reading the legislation? Here's a LINK.

Thank you to all the advocates who shared their stories to help legislators

understand the devastating impact of untreated MMH conditions.

Here's what one advocate said, which sums up the whole day:

I don't want any other mother to go through what I went through.

With Into the Light introduced on March 14, Congress is now considering three pieces of legislation addressing different aspects of MMH. Together, these three bills address MMH at the national, state, and local levels.

We have created a handy FACT SHEET with more information about these bills, which are summarized below.

This FACT SHEET was shared with advocates and Congressional staffers as part of MMH Advocacy Day.

Advocacy efforts continue in June as MMHLA, 2020 Mom, and Shades of Blue Project partner again for a virtual Congressional briefing to continue advocating for:

—Into the Light to authorize and fund existing MMH programs

—Moms Matter Act to address maternal mental health equity

—TRIUMPH for New Moms Act to improve federal MMH coordination

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADVOCACY?

Check out MMHLA's 1-page ADVOCACY FACT SHEET and our robust ADVOCACY TOOLKIT that has information about the differences between lobbying and advocacy; opportunities for advocacy; and templates for a variety of advocacy efforts.