Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 308: Medical Assistance; Medicaid coverage of postpartum maternal mental health care services; provide

Last action February 28, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred

Senate Bill 308 would require Georgia's Medicaid program to cover postpartum mental health care, including depression and anxiety screenings, for new mothers for a full year after pregnancy.

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In plain language

Georgia's Medicaid program already 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. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Community Health to cover screenings for depression and anxiety, along with maternal mental health support, for mothers on Medicaid for one year following the end of a pregnancy. The bill does not remove or reduce the existing lactation or postpartum care coverage; it adds mental health services alongside them. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not state a specific effective date beyond the standard process for a signed Act.

What the bill does

Adds postpartum mental health care services, including depression and anxiety screenings, to the list of services Georgia Medicaid must cover for new mothers.
Sets the coverage period for these new mental health services at one year following the date a pregnancy ends, matching the existing postpartum care window.
Keeps the existing Medicaid coverage for lactation care and general postpartum care intact by adding the new mental health provision alongside them, not in place of them.
Repeals any other Georgia laws that conflict with this new coverage requirement.

Who it affects

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

Why it matters

Mothers on Medicaid would gain a guaranteed year of coverage for depression and anxiety screenings and mental health support after childbirth, a period when untreated postpartum mental health conditions can affect both mothers and infants, without needing separate insurance approval for these services.

Key provisions

Section 1 amends subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159 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, running for one year after the pregnancy ends.
The bill retains the existing paragraphs covering lactation care and services and general postpartum care for one year after pregnancy.
Section 2 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.

From the bill

“Postpartum mental health care services for mothers, including screenings for depression and anxiety, and maternal mental health support for a period of one year following the date the pregnancy ends.”
This is the new Medicaid coverage requirement the bill would add to Georgia law.

Status timeline

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

Topics

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

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