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HD 2877

An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 12 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishes dedicated trust fund for training and hiring perinatal mental health providers to address postpartum depression and substance use disorder treatment gaps.

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Bill Summary · HD 2877

Legislative bill overview

HD 2877 creates a dedicated trust fund in Massachusetts to finance workforce development programs focused on perinatal behavioral health care—mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant people and new parents. The fund would support training, recruitment, and retention of providers specializing in postpartum depression, anxiety, and related conditions during the critical perinatal period.

Why is this important

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect 1 in 5 birthing individuals but remain significantly undertreated due to workforce shortages and lack of specialized providers. Establishing dedicated funding addresses a critical gap in maternal mental health infrastructure, potentially reducing maternal mortality, improving child development outcomes, and decreasing long-term mental health complications for families.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source unclear: The bill's mechanism for establishing and capitalizing the trust fund is not specified, raising questions about whether new revenue, budget reallocation, or general funds would be used
  • Scope limitations: Perinatal behavioral health is one of many maternal health workforce gaps; focusing resources here may draw attention from other pressing obstetric shortages
  • Implementation timeline and accountability: No specified metrics for workforce growth, provider outcomes, or sunset provisions to evaluate whether the trust fund achieves its intended goals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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