Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2024 Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable Act of 2024
Impact
The implications of this bill extend to significant changes in the healthcare landscape, particularly regarding the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. By removing cost-sharing requirements during these critical periods, the bill promotes greater access to care for new mothers and parents, potentially reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues. It also aligns with growing recognition of the importance of mental health across all stages of life, particularly around childbirth, a time often fraught with emotional challenges.
Summary
SB4331, known as the Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable Act of 2024, aims to amend federal laws to enhance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant individuals. Specifically, the bill stipulates that group health plans and issuers must provide these services without cost-sharing during pregnancy and for one year following childbirth. This is intended to alleviate the financial burden on new parents seeking necessary mental health support.
Contention
While many advocate for the positive impacts of SB4331, there are expected areas of contention surrounding its implementation and fiscal impacts. Critics may raise concerns about the additional costs incurred by insurance providers and how this may lead to increased premiums for other policyholders. Another point of debate could center on the adequacy of mental health services available, particularly in underserved areas, and whether simply eliminating cost-sharing will lead to improved outcomes for those in need.
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 CHANGE Act Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2024 Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2024 Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2024 Data To Save Moms Act CARE for Moms Act Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment for Moms Act Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2024 Universal School Meals Program Act of 2024
Universal School Meals Program Act of 2024 CHANGE Act Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2024 Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2024 Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2024 Data To Save Moms Act CARE for Moms Act Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment for Moms Act Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2024
Support And Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act of 2025 or the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2025This bill prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving any new drug (either as a brand-name drug or a generic) intended to terminate a pregnancy and imposes additional restrictions on such drugs that are already approved.Under the bill, an already-approved drug intended to terminate a pregnancy may be dispensed to a patient only with a prescription. Furthermore, the FDA may not approve any labeling change that would authorize (1) using the drug after 70 days of gestation, or (2) dispensing the drug by any means other than in-person administration by the prescribing health care practitioner.The FDA must also impose additional restrictions on such already-approved drugs, including by (1) requiring the prescribing health care practitioner to receive a special certification, (2) prohibiting the practitioner from also acting as the dispensing pharmacist, and (3) requiring the practitioner to have the ability to provide surgical intervention to the patient.The bill also rescinds any investigational use exemption already granted to such a drug if the bill would have prohibited the FDA from granting the exemption. (Currently, the FDA may grant an exemption to certain market approval requirements if a drug is intended solely for use in safety and effectiveness investigations.)