#United States #Iowa #Maternal Mental Health #Perigee Fund #Governor Reynolds

Governor Kim Reynolds and Perigee Fund Honored

In a landmark recognition during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds and the Perigee Fund have been awarded the 2025 Maternal Mental Health Hero Awards. This prestigious accolade, bestowed by the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, acknowledges individuals and organizations that significantly improve maternal mental health care. The awards are a testament to their groundbreaking work in reshaping the standards of maternity care and addressing critical funding needs.

Transformative Leadership by Governor Reynolds

Governor Kim Reynolds is celebrated for her influential role in revolutionizing maternity care in Iowa. A significant aspect of her approach has been to ensure adequate payment for maternity care providers, moving away from outdated flat-rate reimbursement models. Her efforts include raising Medicaid maternal payment rates, which are crucial in attracting more healthcare professionals to serve new mothers.

"I am honored to receive this award as a Maternal Mental Health Hero for the groundbreaking work we are doing in Iowa to improve maternity care," Governor Reynolds stated. She emphasized the state's commitment to enhancing access to healthcare for all new mothers across Iowa, reflecting a broader strategy to ensure that every region benefits from improved healthcare services.

The Role of Perigee Fund

The Perigee Fund, under the leadership of Executive Director Marcy Miller, has played a pivotal role in advancing maternal mental health initiatives. Recognized as a leading philanthropic organization, Perigee Fund has been instrumental in providing critical capacity funding to non-profit organizations addressing maternal mental health issues. Their investments have spurred significant developments, including the establishment of the Federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Miller expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "At Perigee, we believe we must act now to heal intergenerational trauma through the power of early relationships in every single state and community—starting with maternal mental health." This statement illustrates the Fund's commitment to fostering change at the community level, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in maternal mental health.

Collaborative Impact

The combined efforts of Governor Reynolds and the Perigee Fund exemplify a proactive approach to improving maternal mental health care in the United States. According to Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, the individual contributions of these two leaders are vital. She noted, "Together, Governor Reynolds' leadership in unbundling maternity care payments and Perigee's investments in maternal mental health policy are changing how mental health care is provided in the U.S."

In 2020, the Policy Center launched the Maternal Mental Health Hero Awards to formalize the recognition of those making profound impacts in this critical field. This year marks the introduction of a new category to honor policymakers, making Reynolds the inaugural recipient in that classification.

About the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Founded in 2011, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the prevention, early detection, and treatment of maternal mental health disorders. They focus on closing systemic gaps through evidence-based solutions, cross-sector collaboration, and policy changes, establishing themselves as a leader in transforming maternal mental health care conversations into actionable strategies.

The recognition of both Governor Reynolds and the Perigee Fund highlights an essential step forward in advocating for maternal mental health. Their efforts not only spotlight the critical issues surrounding maternity care but also pave the way for future innovations and improvements in this vital area of healthcare. As we continue to raise awareness and advocate for better services, these individuals stand as beacons of hope and change for mothers everywhere.