What Happened to Indiana’s Postpartum Health Bills This Session?

Indiana lawmakers introduced four bills this session aimed at supporting new parents and improving postpartum and maternal health. Many Hoosiers are deeply concerned about our state’s high maternal mortality rate. There’s also a clear need for stronger postpartum care. Even so, none of these proposals received a hearing or moved forward in committee. Without action, too many Indiana mothers will continue to face risks that could be prevented.

Senate Bills 51, 511, and 192 would have required hospitals and Medicaid contractors to schedule timely postpartum visits—an evidence-based practice proven to reduce complications and save lives.

Senate Bill 198 proposed coverage for postpartum depression treatments, doula services, mental health screenings, and biomarker testing for preeclampsia—important supports in a state where mental‑health‑related deaths are a leading cause of maternal mortality. The bill also recommended creating a statewide maternal mental health program. This program would help coordinate care and improve outcomes for new and expectant parents across Indiana.

Indiana continues to rank among the worst states for maternal mortality, with many of these tragedies happening after childbirth when new moms are most likely to fall out of touch with the healthcare system. The bills introduced this session offered practical, bipartisan ways to help close these gaps.

Unfortunately, none of them moved forward, leaving Indiana behind on basic maternal health protections that many other states already have in place. It feels like a missed opportunity to make a real, positive difference for Hoosier moms and families. Nonetheless, the American Heart Association will continue to advocate for new parents to have the support they deserve. Stay tuned for more updates on this subject!

If you have questions, ideas, feedback—please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Indiana GRD Christina Cesnik at [email protected].