Policy Advocacy Update: Federal Funding of Maternal Mental Health Programs and The MOMS Act
This update is from Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, Founder and Director of Policy & Partnerships at Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA).
As we close out the year, we wanted to update you on the federal policy advocacy work MMHLA has been leading.
Funding Update: Maternal Mental Health Programs
Every year, MMHLA advocates for federal funding for two important programs that help build the national infrastructure to support maternal mental health:
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which provides 24/7 voice and text support in English and Spanish, and which has assisted over 70,000 help-seekers.
The Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Program, which provides grants to 12 states and Los Angeles County to create maternal mental health programs.
Congress has yet to vote on funding these programs. The latest news is that the vote should occur before the end of January 2026. We will keep you informed as we know more.
MMHLA has advocated for funding these programs since 2019, bringing $86.5 million in federal funding to support them.
Implementation Update: The Maintaining our Obligation to Moms who Serve Act (The MOMS Act)
Signed into law on December 23, 2024, The Maintaining our Obligation to Moms who Serve Act (The MOMS Act) supports the mental health of our nation’s military mothers by implementing a maternal mental health program into the military healthcare system.
Over the past year, MMHLA and Congressional leaders of The MOMS Act have reached out to the Department of Defense to inquire about the implementation status of the program, but we have yet to receive any substantial updates.
In November, MMHLA sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency with specific recommendations for the program, including:
Providing group prenatal care, which has been proven to reduce MMH conditions and create a sense of community.
Implementing evidence-based programs that have been proven to prevent postpartum depression.
Integrating mental health care within obstetric settings.
Requiring screening for MMH throughout the perinatal period.
Providing specific support for military spouses / beneficiaries.
Increasing awareness about existing resources, including the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
Creating a psychiatry access program to support frontline providers.
What’s Next
The MOMS Act mandates a year-end report to Congress about the status of the program. We are awaiting this report, and we will continue to advocate for the implementation of this legislation.
As always, thank you for your support and advocacy of these vital programs.
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