Gov. Maura Healey’s plan to expand the state’s Welcome Family program, which sends nurses to visit the homes of new parents after childbirth, has drawn sharp criticism online after a clip of her describing the initiative circulated widely on social media.
Healey discussed the program in an appearance last week on Boston Public Radio. “Everybody in the state, when you have a baby, you’re going to have a home visit within days, weeks and that will be an opportunity for a healthcare provider to make an assessment to see if you need some additional support and resources,” she said.
The clip prompted strong reactions from conservative commentators and lawmakers. Radio host Howie Carr asked on X, in a post viewed nearly 2 million times, “Does this sound like a good idea?” The account LibsofTikTok wrote, in a post viewed over 2 million times, “MA Governor Maura Healey says everyone who has a baby will be visited in their home by a government appointed healthcare provider ‘to make an assessment’. Stay out of our homes you power hungry creep.”
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., posted on X, “IDK who needs to hear this … but the government DOES NOT OWN your baby. Everyone needs to re-read 1984.” Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., called the plan the work of “Lunatic libs.”
Fox News Digital said it reached out to Healey’s office for comment.
What the program actually does
Healey announced the expansion last week in a press release describing the program as voluntary and intended to “strengthen postpartum care and mental health support for mothers and families across Massachusetts, with a focus on reaching people earlier, making support easier to access and helping providers connect patients to care when they need it.”
The announcement comes as postpartum mental health has become a prominent issue in Massachusetts following the trial of Lindsay Clancy, whose case ended in a deadlocked jury unable to reach a verdict on whether she was guilty of killing her three young children. Clancy’s defense had argued she suffered from severe postpartum mental illness.
“Becoming a mother is a profound life change, and every parent deserves support—not just during pregnancy, but in the months that follow,” Healey said in the release. “Postpartum depression, anxiety and other maternal mental health conditions are real medical conditions, and no mother should feel ashamed to ask for help or feel like she has to navigate this journey alone. We’re working to expand postpartum care, identify concerns earlier and connect families to the mental health support they need, because taking care of moms means taking care of the whole family.”
Republicans call it overreach
Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, told Fox News Digital the program amounts to government overreach. “I’m a mom of three,” Carnevale said. “I’m blessed to have three wonderful children. And, doctors, today, they ask about postpartum depression. They ask about the need for resources. So, there are plenty of resources available to women after they have children in Massachusetts and nationwide. And this example by Governor Healey to send people into the homes of new moms is an example of government overreach and the Massachusetts Republican Party has been hearing from moms across the state, moms and dads across the state, really objecting to this new policy.”
