Media contacts: Kathy Fackelmann, kfackelmann
gwu [dot] edu; Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaumgwu [dot] edu,
WASHINGTON (May 15, 2025)- Every year, about one in five moms in the U.S. experience maternal mental health conditions, like postpartum depression. Research illustrates that 75% of women never get the treatment they need. When left untreated, these disorders can have lasting impacts on women’s well-being, family stability, and children’s development. Untreated maternal mental health disorders are estimated to cost the U.S. $14.2 billion annually.
To address these gaps, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health collaborated with the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health to create annual report cards to evaluate how each state is addressing maternal mental health. First released in 2023, this year is the third annual release of the Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards.
This year, the U.S.’s national grade improved slightly from a D+ to a C-, as state grades incrementally increased. Twenty-six state grades improved; five states earned Bs (an increase from three states in 2024) and two states earned failing grades (down from five states in 2024). However, 19 states continued to earn D or F grades, showing there’s a lot more work to be done.
“In the United States, health care is largely left to the states to manage. The annual report cards serve as a roadmap for states with measurable data to determine progress,” said Joy Burkhard CEO of the Policy Center. “Maternal Mental Health should be of upmost concern to both political parties - we are counting on state agencies and law makers in every state, particularly those with Ds and Fs to look closely at their grades and the measures. We are here to support their efforts.”
“States are currently making incremental progress to address maternal mental health.” said Caitlin Murphy, research scientist at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, who supported the creation of the report cards. “However, if Congress fails to protect mothers from the extensive, proposed cuts to Medicaid and Health and Human Services programs, state scores - and our overall national score - will backslide substantially.”
The 2025 Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards include 20 measures, which continue to be divided into three key domains:
- Providers and Programs
- Screening: Results, Requirements, and Reimbursement
- Insurance Coverage and Treatment Reimbursement
The 2025 Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards and measure set can be accessed here. A report summarizing the 2025 findings can be found here.
-GW-