Lindsay Clancy case could spur legislative action on postpartum depression, psychosis

A mistrial in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who killed her three children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, has prompted state lawmakers to revisit how postpartum depression and psychosis are treated in both healthcare and criminal law.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is requesting $2 million to expand a home-visit nurse program from 3,000 to 68,000 households, while Illinois, Maryland and Virginia have passed screening and insurance-coverage laws. Similar bills failed in eight other states.

Advocates cite a 50% rise in relevant legislation last year and expect that to climb further post-trial, though researchers note postpartum psychosis remains rare and outcomes depend heavily on funding and coordination between providers, the exact gap Clancy's lawyers say failed her.

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