Asheville Reporter

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, has introduced legislation in Washington to bolster mental health and substance abuse support for pregnant and postpartum women across the United States. This move is in response to a worrying increase in overdose deaths among expectant mothers, particularly due to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The proposed bill seeks to reauthorize residential treatment programs and broaden comprehensive care services.

According to a press release from Tillis' office, the senator expressed his concern over the issue, stating: "I’ve heard the heartbreaking stories of countless families in North Carolina and across the country who have lost loved ones to substance use and overdoses. We owe it to future generations to address this unfolding crisis and save lives by increasing access to life-saving treatments, prevention and recovery support, and mental health counseling for pregnant and postpartum women struggling with substance use disorder. This legislation will take a positive step in ensuring all moms and babies benefit from comprehensive, family-centric recovery and support services."

The same press release detailed that the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act addresses rising drug overdose deaths among pregnant women by supporting evidence-based parenting and treatment models through grant funds. The goal is to provide access to services for low-income women and reduce maternal health disparities. The legislation proposes offering support to public and non-profit entities that offer Pregnant Postpartum Women (PPW) programs.

Robert I.L. Morrison, Executive Director of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), responded positively towards this initiative in another statement included in Tillis' press release: "On behalf of NASADAD, I am writing in support of the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act. Thank you for introducing this important legislation. As a result, more pregnant and postpartum women have access to these comprehensive services in outpatient and intensive outpatient settings. Again, thank you for introducing the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act. We believe this bill will continue to help more pregnant and postpartum women and their families gain access to comprehensive, family-centered substance use disorder services."

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry further underscores the gravity of the situation. Between 2018 and 2021, research involving 17,458 individuals revealed a more than three-fold increase in drug overdose mortality ratios, notably among pregnant and postpartum individuals aged 35 to 44, peaking during the late postpartum period since July 2020.