Bill seeks help for depressed mothers

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta and a Democratic colleague have re-introduced their bill to provide early intervention services to babies of mothers with postpartum depression.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta and a Democratic colleague have re-introduced their bill to provide early intervention services to babies of mothers with postpartum depression.

Last week, Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, and state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County, introduced Senate Bill 200, which would place postpartum depression in an at-risk category so that babies of affected mothers would be eligible for tracking and intervention services.

Pennsylvania monitors babies born into at-risk conditions, such as those with low birth weight or neonatal intensive-care units, homelessness, chemically dependent mothers, lead poisoning, abuse and neglect.

Postpartum depression can be a devastating problem both for a new mother and her child, and the consequences can last a lifetime, Bartolotta said in a statement. Adding these families to the states monitoring system will help ensure that mothers and infants receive the care and services they need.

Co-sponsors on the legislation include state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield Township, and state Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr., R-New Sewickley Township, Beaver County.

Bartolotta reiterated an American Psychological Association estimate that nearly 15 percent of new mothers experience postpartum depression. And, she again said that 21,000 babies and mothers in Pennsylvania suffer from the condition every year.

The two senators pushed for the same legislation last year.

Their bill was passed by the Public Health and Welfare Committee in May, but it was eventually referred to the Appropriations Committee in October.

The latest version of the bill was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.

Bartolotta said in her email newsletter this week that her bill and postpartum depression will be discussed in a town hall at noon in the Cameron Wellness Center, 240 Wellness Way, in Washington.

The town hall, she said, will be hosted by The Campaign For What Works and its community partners as part of the #StrongMomStrongBaby campaign.