New Jersey's groundbreaking, progressive legislation requiring that all new mothers be screened for postpartum depression (PPD) went into effect on Tuesday.

Three cheers for Jersey! This is a model initiative that other states can, should, MUST adapt and adopt as their own. It also, let us hope, foreshadows the long-overdue federal legislation that will address this health crisis as something just as real, just as important, as prematurity, c-section rates, and HIV.