AAH pushes for increased coverage for breastfeeding supplies
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:50 AM CDT, Wed June 15, 2022
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Breastfeeding Coalition is urging insurance companies and Medicaid plans to increase coverage for breastfeeding supplies, as the baby formula shortage worsens. Insurance companies and Medicaid plans need to cover breastmilk storage bags and breast pump replacement parts to support the increased need to breastfeed and pump during the shortage, the coalition says. “There has never been a more important time for insurance companies, including state Medicaid plans, to support breastfeeding,” said Jason Canzano, co-chair of the AAHomecare Breastfeeding Coalition. “As a coalition of breastfeeding equipment providers, we are seeing a strong increase in demand for breast pumps, replacement parts and breastmilk storage bags.” Last week, infant formula out-of-stock rates climbed to 74% nationally, according to a recent article by Bloomberg press. While the Biden Administration has taken some actions to provide relief, it will likely take months before those actions produce results, the coalition says. In the interim, it is important to consider ways to make sure moms delivering today and tomorrow have access to the resources they need to ensure a successful breastfeeding journey, it says.
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