Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Releases Guidance to Governors to Combat Rising Maternal Health Crisis

Governors can utilize Rural Health Transformation Funds to create new infrastructure for maternal health and maternal mental health.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health ("the Policy Center") today issued a new commentary designed to inform state leaders and their administrations on how to utilize the opportunity presented by the Rural Health Transformation Program, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), to creatively address the growing crisis in maternal mental health and substance use in rural communities. A new commentary, co-authored by the Policy Center, highlights the severe disparities faced by rural mothers and outlines a clear path for state action.  

The commentary stresses that maternal mental health disorders impact 20% of women, with those in rural communities facing a 21% higher likelihood of perinatal depression compared to urban women. These challenges are compounded by limited access to behavioral health specialists, high rates of stress from socioeconomic challenges, and fragmented systems of care.  

"The health of rural mothers and their children is at a breaking point," said Joy Burkhard, the Policy Center's Executive Director. "With over half of U.S. counties lacking a hospital that provides obstetric care, and severe shortages of perinatal mental health certified providers, Governors have an opportunity to build the maternity care and mental health infrastructure that every rural family deserves."   

The commentary identifies critical areas for Governors to strengthen rural health:

• Develop New Workforces States can promote community college training programs for obstetric and mental health providers who will work in rural areas, offering financial aid to boost the workforce.  
• Encourage Home and Mobile Care Incentivize providers who serve non-rural areas to travel to rural communities offering care in patients' homes or via mobile units.  
• Use Technology & Telehealth Expand internet/broadband access, create telepsychiatry consultation networks, and cover digital therapeutics to overcome distance and stigma barriers.  
• Engage Healthcare Payors Require health plans and state medical agencies to report HEDIS perinatal depression screening and follow-up measures, and incentivize strong outcomes through pay-for-performance strategies.  
• Pilot Maternity Care Centers (MCCs) Establish MCCs in obstetric deserts, modeled after Georgia's Regional Perinatal Centers (RPCs) or the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, to deliver critical obstetric and behavioral health services under one roof.  

The commentary provides tangible solutions for building a resilient rural health system for mothers, families, and future generations. Read the full commentary here.

About the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (Policy Center)

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (PCMMH) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policy and systems change to ensure every mother and family has timely access to maternal mental health care.

Contact: Kathryn Santoro, Policy Director, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, (703) 582-9461, [email protected] 

SOURCE Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health