Boston – Governor Maura Healey unveiled a statewide initiative Tuesday aimed at strengthening postpartum support for new parents. The proposal would allocate $2 million to provide free home visits by registered nurses to every family welcoming an infant, and an additional $250,000 to expand the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms.
Free nurse visits for all newborn families
Healey said the program would target the roughly 68,000 babies born in Massachusetts each year. Participation would be voluntary, but families that opt‑in could receive a nurse’s visit within weeks of birth. During the visit, nurses would answer questions about feeding, sleep and infant care, while also monitoring the mother’s physical recovery and screening for postpartum depression or other mental‑health concerns.
“To every mom who has struggled with her mental health before, during or after pregnancy, I want you to know we see you – I see you,” Healey told reporters at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “We need to talk more openly about this.”
Funding and existing federal program
The governor’s plan would be the first state investment in a federally funded initiative that currently supports about 3,000 families annually. By expanding the budget, Massachusetts would become the first state to offer the service to all newborn families, regardless of income or insurance status.
Healey also directed the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to update regulations governing perinatal mental‑health screenings. The goal is to identify concerns earlier, both during pregnancy and after delivery, and to ensure timely referrals to appropriate care.
Context of the proposal
The announcement follows the high‑profile Lindsay Clancy trial, in which the mother was convicted of killing her three children while suffering from postpartum psychosis. The case highlighted gaps in mental‑health detection and treatment for new mothers. While the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, the trial underscored the urgency of proactive support.
Massachusetts has long been a leader in health‑care access, boasting one of the nation’s lowest uninsured rates and a 2006 state health‑care law that served as a model for the federal Affordable Care Act. Nevertheless, maternal‑care gaps persist. Data from the state’s maternal mortality review committee show that mental illness, including substance‑use disorder, accounted for 38% of deaths among pregnant women and new mothers from 2019‑2024, with 85% of those deaths deemed preventable.
Governor’s broader maternal‑health agenda
Healey’s 2024 maternal‑health law already expanded access to doulas, midwives and birth centers, and required insurers to cover postpartum depression screenings. The new funding builds on that foundation, aiming to reduce isolation, exhaustion and overwhelm that many new mothers experience.
“Giving birth can be one of life’s most joyous experiences, but it’s also one of the most challenging,” Healey said. “Our plan ensures that every family has the support they need to thrive.”
Next steps
The governor will ask the state legislature to approve the $2 million and $250,000 allocations during the upcoming budget session. If enacted, the program could begin rolling out later this year, providing a model that other states may look to replicate.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
