Arkansas’ New Law Requires Providers to Offer Depression Screening to New Moms

Arkansas, which has one of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation, will now require healthcare providers to ask mothers if they want to be screened for depression up to 6 weeks after giving birth.

This is encouraging progress to hear as we kick-off the new year!

The new law mandates that both private and government-provided insurance programs cover the cost associated with screening.

We commend Arkansas state Representative Aaron Pilkington for spearheading this policy.

We also need to highlight the research which shows that women are at the highest risk for developing maternal mental health conditions between 3-6 months postpartum, leaving many women vulnerable to falling through the cracks after the 6-week window.

As we continue to combat the maternal mental health crisis through policy change, it is critical that screening—and insurance coverage of that screening—extend through one-year postpartum.

This new law has several important components that are already a catalyst for progress in maternal mental health. We hope that states can reference this law and use it as a foundation for more solutions.