SEPT1-14.qxp_NCN new template 9/1/23 8:48 AM Page 12
Ellington State Representative Round-up
Maternal health victories achieved this session HARTFORD — Our family welcomed a new baby this year and we are adjusting to a routine of a family of four. Like his sister, our son came earlier than expected and while I was preparing myself for that, I wasn’t Jaime Foster completely ready for him to come when he did. He was due in mid-July. He came about a month early. I have an excellent support system and we had help with our daughter, as Aaron and I traveled to the NICU to be with our son until it was time to bring him home. After giving birth, many mothers may feel post-partum depression and anxiety. In the 2023 legislative session, we passed several bills that will help support maternal health. Through Public Act 23-97, the Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and organizations representing health care facilities and licensed health care professionals, will develop a maternal mental health toolkit to provide information and resources regarding maternal mental health to licensed health care professionals and new parents in the state. The toolkit will include:
State Rep. Jaime Foster with her son. The 2023 legislative session featured the passage of several bills that help support maternal health. State Rep. Jaime Foster’s office photo • Information about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including, but not limited to, the symptoms of such disorders, the potential impact of such disorders on families, and treatment options; and • A list of licensed health care professionals, peer support networks, and nonprofit organizations in the state that treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders or
provide support for persons with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder and family members. No later than Oct. 1, DPH will make the toolkit available on its website. Public Act 23-147 makes changes to licensure and accountability for maternal health care providers and explores ways to expand access to doulas and midwifery to ensure all expectant parents receive highquality care and experience better outcomes. This includes: • Requiring outpatient clinics that provide birth center services for low-risk pregnancies to be licensed and accredited and requiring that they coordinate care with appropriate health care providers and hospital emergency departments if the patient's pregnancy becomes more dangerous. • Establishing an infant mortality review program and committee within DPH to review data and medical records, identify problems with the delivery of care, and make recommendations on how to address healthcare disparities to reduce infant deaths. • Establishing a Doula Advisory Committee within DPH to recommend how to improve training for doulas, bring awareness of the profession, and create a license for certified doulas.
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12 North Central News September 2023
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