New guidance from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health aims to help governors use the Rural Health Transformation Program to address gaps in maternal mental health and substance use care.
The commentary outlines policy strategies to support rural women, who are 21% more likely to experience perinatal depression than those in urban areas, according to a Nov. 4 news release. It highlights five actions for state leaders, including creating new workforce pipelines, expanding mobile and home-based care, and building maternity care centers in obstetric deserts.
Joy Burkhard, executive director of the nonprofit organization, said governors have an opportunity to invest in integrated mental and maternity care infrastructure.
Other recommendations include expanding telehealth, increasing broadband access, and using pay-for-performance incentives to improve depression screening and follow-up.
The commentary was co-authored by the PCMMH to support states in using the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
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