Menendez, Author of Legislation to Combat Postpartum Depression, Applauds Grassroots Efforts
WASHINGTON – As bloggers around the country today advocate for passage of federal legislation to combat postpartum depression, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the Senate sponsor of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, applauded the effort as necessary to enact the bill into law.
The legislation has broad support in Congress and was able to pass the House of Representatives earlier this year, but has been stalled in the Senate because of objections by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Senator Coburn commonly uses senatorial “holds” to stall disease-specific legislation, and indications are that he would do so with the MOTHERS Act.
“Postpartum depression is a condition that is not only more widespread than most realize but also more debilitating than most realize,” said Menendez. “We need to make sure these mothers are fully supported and informed, rather than scared and alone. Working together with a nationwide community of mothers, we are so close to enacting this important legislation into law.
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Are you crazy?? Are you aware this bill was written almost entirely by drug companies? Did you know they've been trying to pass it for 3 years? Did you know it gives them unfettered access to market "mood medications" harmful to fetuses and newborns directly to pregnant woman and woman who have just given birth? You apparently don't even know that the only reason Sen. Menendez sponsored this bill is because it directly benefits New Jersey drug companies that give him hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Really... I can't believe you write for website in support of a bill without taking the time to read it or research its origins. Is this website ghostwritten by drug company reps (like Sen. Grassley found they've done with hundreds of "treatises" thought to be written by scientists)? You're not empowering women; you're being used by corporate efforts to profit off of poisoning them and their babies. Please wake up, do your homework and get back on the right side. Oppose this bill.
The comment above is typical of the misinformation being circulated by a fringe group in opposition to the bill. The bill was not drafted by pharmaceutical companies (please substantiate this completely false statement) but by a coaltion of advocates who want to end the suffering of new mothers - up to 800,000 in the next year alone! Its primary sponsor is among our nation's most family involved legislators, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. Those who wish to read the bill, may do so by visiting www.perinatalpro.com/ppdlegislation.html The bill neither subsidizes or encourages medication, nor does it mandate screening. Please take the time to actually read the bill before discouraging mothers from supporting its critical initiatives or spreading falsehoods regarding its origin, initiatives and intentions. Thank you!