House Subcommittee Debates Postpartum Depression Bill; Republicans Indicate Measure Should Include Abortion-Related Language

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday debated legislation (HR 20) that would aim to identify causes and treatments for postpartum depression, and some Republicans on the panel indicated that the measure should be amended to include language on "postabortion depression," CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 5/1). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), would "expand and intensify" research at the National Institute of Mental Health and other agencies on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill also would provide grants through HHS for the "establishment, operation and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services" for women with the conditions and their families (HR 20 text, 5/2). Rush has said that about 400,000 women suffer from mood changes after they give birth and that one in 1,000 new mothers develop postpartum psychosis. According to CQ HealthBeat, Rush has been working for passage of the bill since 2001.

Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) -- the ranking member on the subcommittee and co-sponsor of the legislation -- said in his opening statement that postpartum depression "has consequences not only for the woman but for the child and the family as a whole." He added that more should be known about all aspects of depression, including depression that might occur after undergoing an abortion. Deal's reference to abortion "triggered a rebuke" from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who called the reference "offensive," CQ HealthBeat reports. DeGette said that postabortion depression has not been recognized as a clinical condition by established medical professionals, adding that U.S. women have waited too long for action on postpartum depression to have the hearing diverted into a "political theatre."

Deal cited witness testimony from women who said they developed depression after undergoing abortion. He also said that he would not attempt to modify the bill to include research on the condition but that his Republican colleagues might do so. Deal said the issue would not delay House action on the bill. An aide to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chair of the subcommittee, said a date for a bill mark up has not been set. Pallone at the hearing said he would "work with Rush to move this legislation to the floor as soon as possible" (CQ HealthBeat, 5/1).

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