Georgia HB 649: "Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act"; enact

Bill Text

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The House Committee on Insurance offers the following substitute to HB 649:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 1 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
general provisions relative to insurance, so as to provide for coverage for comprehensive2
maternal mental health screening and care; to provide for such screenings at specific points3
during and after pregnancy as deemed necessary by a physician or other healthcare provider;4
to provide for additional screening; to provide for referral information and resources and5
educational materials regarding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; to provide for a pilot6
program; to provide for funding; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for reports;7
to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,8
relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for maternal mental health9
screenings for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; to provide for related matters; to10
provide for legislative findings; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date11
and applicability; to provide for contingent effectiveness upon appropriation of funds; to12
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.13
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:14
SECTION 1.15
The General Assembly finds that:16
H. B. 649 (SUB)
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(1) Georgia has prioritized advancements in access to mental health care and addressing17
issues of maternal health and maternal mortality;18
(2) The largest demographic of Americans grappling with depression is women of19
childbearing age. The mental well-being of women before, during, and after giving birth20
is a matter of significant concern for women, their families, their communities, and their21
healthcare providers. This issue is of particular interest to the General Assembly in that22
it has far-reaching impact on the public health and the welfare of people in this state;23
(3) Maternal mental health conditions are among the most common complications of24
pregnancy and childbirth;25
(4) Statistics from experts in the field show that one in five perinatal women will26
experience mood and anxiety disorders at some time during the period spanning from27
pregnancy through 12 months after the birth of a child;28
(5) Maternal depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders can be debilitating29
conditions, but they are treatable if properly diagnosed;30
(6) Early identification and treatment of maternal mental health conditions significantly31
improves outcomes for mothers and children;32
(7) Children born to mothers with untreated depression face a higher likelihood of33
encountering developmental challenges and increased utilization of medical and mental34
health services throughout their lives;35
(8) It is imperative, then, in order to protect and promote public health and welfare, to36
ensure the prompt diagnosis and treatment of women experiencing postpartum depression37
or other maternal mental health disorders;38
(9) The American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and39
Gynecology, the American College of Nurse Midwives, and the American Academy of40
Pediatrics recommend perinatal mental health screenings at certain intervals for all41
pregnant and postpartum women;42
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(10) Universal maternal mental health screening questionnaires test for the presence of43
prenatal or postpartum mood disorders through validated, evidence based tools;44
(11) These screening questionnaires are available at little to no cost;45
(12) In order to preserve and promote maternal health and strong families, it is46
imperative that the State of Georgia provide access to periodic mental health screening47
questionnaires for women throughout and after their pregnancies; and48
(13) There is a critical need to ensure equitable access to maternal mental health49
screening and care across Georgia, particularly in rural and other underserved50
communities.51
SECTION 2.52
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Maternal Mental Health53
Improvement Act."54
SECTION 3.55
Chapter 1 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general56
provisions relative to insurance, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:57
"33-1-28.58
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:59
(1) 'Maternal mental health screening' means the use of an independent, evidence based60
screening instrument that is in accordance with nationally recognized clinical practice61
guidelines developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies62
utilizing a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a conflict-of-interest63
policy. Such guidelines establish standards of care informed by a systematic review of64
evidence and an assessment of the benefits and risks of alternative care options and65
include recommendations intended to optimize