SB308: SB308 Medical Assistance; Medicaid coverage of postpartum maternal mental health care services; provide

Georgia's Medicaid program currently covers lactation support and general postpartum care for mothers for one year after a pregnancy ends, under O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159. This bill adds a new category of coverage to that same law: postpartum mental health care services. Under the bill, the Georgia Department of Community Health would have to provide Medicaid coverage for screenings for depression and anxiety, along with broader maternal mental health support, for mothers during the year following the end of a pregnancy. This runs alongside the existing lactation and postpartum care coverage already required by the law. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not list a separate effective date in the text provided.

• Adds postpartum mental health care services, including depression and anxiety screenings, to the list of care Medicaid must cover for new mothers.
• Extends that mental health coverage for one year following the date a pregnancy ends, matching the existing postpartum care window.
• Keeps the existing Medicaid requirements for lactation care and general postpartum care in O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159 unchanged.
• Repeals any other Georgia laws that conflict with the new mental health coverage requirement.

New mothers enrolled in Georgia Medicaid, the Georgia Department of Community Health, which administers Medicaid coverage, and health care providers who screen for or treat postpartum depression and anxiety.

Mothers on Medicaid would gain a guaranteed year of coverage for depression and anxiety screenings and mental health support after childbirth, potentially making it easier to get diagnosed and treated for postpartum mental health conditions without facing separate coverage barriers.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159(a) to add a new paragraph (3) requiring Medicaid coverage of postpartum mental health care services.
• The new coverage includes screenings for depression and anxiety and maternal mental health support.
• Coverage runs for one year following the date the pregnancy ends, the same period already used for postpartum care and lactation coverage under the existing law.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws but does not add other administrative detail.

1. 2025-02-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)

• Medicaid coverage
• postpartum care
• maternal mental health
• women's health