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  • USBC Membership
    • USBC Member Directory
    • Join USBC
    • Membership Benefits & FAQs
    • Membership Fee Schedules
    • Membership Interest Form & Affiliated Coalitions Directory Request Form
  • Policy & Actions
    • Constellation Work Groups >
      • Infant & Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Constellation
      • Disrupting Formula Marketing Constellation
      • Lactation Support Providers Constellation
      • Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Constellation
      • Workplace Support Constellation
    • Active Legislation
    • Breastfeeding Policy Map
    • Existing Legislation
    • Federal Policies, Programs, & Initiatives
    • PUMP Act >
      • The PUMP Act Explained
      • PUMP Act Implementation Resources
      • Know Your Rights-PUMP-Act--PWFA
    • Federal Appropriations for Breastfeeding
    • Take Action
    • Letters & Public Comments
  • Resources
    • USBC Directories >
      • USBC Member Directory
      • Affiliated Coalitions Directory
    • Breastfeeding References
    • Breastfeeding Resources for Parents
    • Breastfeeding In Emergencies >
      • Infant Formula Recall and Shortage
    • Constellation Developed Resources
    • Image Gallery Access
    • Lactation Support Provider Training Directory >
      • Lactation Support Providers Pathways
    • Learning Opportunities
    • Monthly Observances
    • State Breastfeeding Reports
    • USBC Data Survey
  • News & Events
    • Annual Conference
    • Events Calendar
    • National Breastfeeding Month
    • USBC in the Media
    • USBC News & Blogs
    • Weekly Wire Newsletter
  • About Us
    • About the USBC
    • Explaining our "Why"
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
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uSBC News & Blogs

2023 archives
December
  • 12/4/2023: usbc stakeholder listening sessions: share your vision for achieving infant nutrition security
November 
  • 11/29/2023: USBC Membership meeting mission moment with dr. scott hartman
  • 11/22/2023: Reflections on Native American Heritage Month: a Conversation with kimberly moore-salas
  • 11/21/2023: 2023 Impact Report: breastfeeding policy priorities
  • 11/17/2023: USBC Interim EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENT
October
  • 10/30/2023: USBC Executive director transition announcement
September
  • 9/28/2023: using data to inform infant and young child feeding in emergency preparedness systems
  • 9/20/2023: Reviving identity caucuses at the usbc: we want to hear from you!
  • 9/19/2023: Reflecting on national breastfeeding month 2023 wins
August
  • 8/25/2023: FY24 appropriations: what recent senate bills mean for infant feeding
July
  • 7/28/2023: Fy24 appropriations: what the house and senate bills mean for infant feeding
  • ​7/25/2023: taking the time for celebration: the pump act and pwfa are law!
  • ​7/21/2023: news from the chair: change is good
march
  • 3/23/2023: fiscal year 2024 president's budget: what it means for the lactation field
  • 3/1/2023: renewing the usbc commitment to equity as we seek to grow the usbc membership network
february
  • ​2/16/2023: join the usbc welcome congress campaign!
  • ​2/15/2023: the u.s. breastfeeding committee launches the creating space scholarship
  • ​2/8/2023: open letter to congress: new research highlights critical need for strong policies to leverage the value of breastfeeding
january
  • ​1/12/2023: fy23 federal budget signed into law: what it means for infant feeding
  • ​1/6/2023: pump for nursing mothers act signed into law
2022 archives
december
  • 12/24/2022: pump for nursing mothers act will soon be signed into law
  • 12/8/2022: usda proposes new wic package
november
  • ​11/1/2022: the usbc membership steps into a new opportunity for connection: launching the first food connection hub & taking a mission moment with monica esparza
october
  • 10/27/2022: 2022 impact report: breastfeeding policy priorities
  • 10/24/2022: a closer look at the 2022 cdc breastfeeding report card
september
  • 9/29/2022: STATEMENT ON WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HUNGER, NUTRITION, AND HEALTh
august
  • 8/24/2022: fy23 appropriations: what the senate bills mean for infant feeding
  • 8/18/2022: a consideration of choice (in the absence of systemic supports)*
​july
  • 7/14/2022: fy23 appropriations: what the house bills mean for infant feeding
june
  • 6/24/2022: the senate failed to pass the pump act on wednesday. that hurts. but it doesn't mean the fight is over.
  • 6/2/2022: the four pillars of infant nutrition security in the united states
​may
  • 5/19/2022: infant formula recall and shortage: resources
  • 5/13/2022: calling your senator about the pump act is easy! here's how.
january
  • 1/26/2022: call for proposals for the 2022 conference!
  • 1/3/2022: impact report: 2021 breastfeeding policy priorities
​
2021 archives
DECEMBER  
  • 12/9/2021: 2020 state and territory breastfeeding reports now available!
  • 12/3/2021: join usbc on our equity journey​
november
  • 11/12/2021: 2020 usbc annual report released!​​​​
october​
  • 10/22/2021: protecting parents, babies, public health, employers, and the economy: a bipartisan case for the pump for nursing mothers act
  • 10/22/2021: pump for nursing mothers act passes with bipartisan support in u.s. house of representatives
  • 10/20/2021: breaking news: the pump act is going to the house floor for a vote this friday
september
  • 9/30/2021: reflections on national preparedness month and the pandemic
  • 9/28/2021: join the nationwide pump act call-in day
  • ​9/27/2021: the house is voting on the pump act this week. join the week of action.
  • 9/26/2021: pump act week of action partner toolkit
  • 9/10/2021: reflections on national breastfeeding month 2021: every step of the way
august
  • 8/24/2021: 8 questions answered by the usbc policy team
july
  • 7/29/2021: Cdc awards usbc a five-year grant to coordinate a national approach to improve the infant feeding landscape
  • 7/22/2021: fiscal year 2022 house agriculture and dhs appropriations reports released
  • 7/16/2021: fiscal year 2022 house labor-hhs appropriations report released
may
  • 5/24/2021: reclaiming our tradition: aanhpi breastfeeding week 2021
2020 archives
AUGUST
  • 8/31/2020: celebrating #bbw20: revive. restore. reclaim!
  • 8/21/2020: native breastfeeding week is over, but the work continues
  • ​8/7/2020: happy national breastfeeding month! we are many voices united #nbm2020

8 Questions Answered by the USBC Policy Team

8/24/2021

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​The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee hosts biannual Membership Meetings, which bring together the more than 100 member organizations that comprise the USBC. These organizations work collaboratively to drive policy and practice changes that create a landscape of breastfeeding support. For the February 2021 meeting, attendees submitted the following questions for the USBC staff team.
Would you like your organization to have a seat at the table?
Learn more about the five membership categories and apply!

1. Can you share some information about the Welcome Congress campaign that took place in May 2021?

During this time of uncertainty, tragedy, and widening gaps in access to infant feeding support, we knew how important it was to take the time to carefully assess which policy changes were most urgently needed. The policy priorities highlighted during the Welcome Congress campaign were identified and selected through extensive feedback from USBC supporters, member representatives, and member organizations. We started by inviting input from all stakeholders and individuals about the most critical policy priority areas. The feedback collected during this stage helped us create a comprehensive list of policy priorities for USBC member organizations to vote on. Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations that provided input!

117 Congress Human Milk Feeding Policy Priorities:
  • Federal funding for breastfeeding
  • Infant and young child feeding in emergencies
  • Access to breastfeeding support and supplies
  • Paid family and medical leave
  • Maternity care practices.
These priorities reflect the perspective of hundreds of individuals and organizations, ensuring that we focus our time and attention on the issues that matter most for families today. This year, we launched the Welcome Congress campaign on Mother's Day. Although it was not possible to come together on Capitol Hill due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the online event brought much-needed attention to the challenges and solutions in these important policy areas.
During the campaign, lactation advocates urged policymakers to take swift action on these critical breastfeeding policy priorities. More than 140 organizations signed on to a joint letter which was shared with members of Congress by constituents through our online action tool. Further amplifying these efforts, USBC met with eight Congressional offices from both sides of the aisle to discuss how we can move these priorities forward.

2. What will happen to the policy priorities now that the Welcome Congress campaign is over?

This list of priorities helps guide and inform our efforts throughout the 117 Congressional session, which will continue through January 3, 2023.
In fact, since the Welcome Congress campaign ended, the USBC has been working hard to advocate for increased federal funding for breastfeeding, workplace protections, and access to lactation support. It's been a busy period, and we're just getting started!
We'll be sure to stay in touch about action opportunities in all of these policy areas. Be sure to sign up for USBC news and action alerts!

3. How do diversity, equity, and inclusion fit into the five policy priorities for this congressional session?

The USBC is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity as core values. We place a premium on meaningful opportunities for all voices to be heard. We work every day to ensure that our membership grows to better reflect the diverse voices and perspectives from across the infant feeding landscape. For example, during the February Membership meeting, an invitation was issued to non-member coalitions to participate as guests to learn more about what happens at meetings and to submit questions like these. The value of these efforts is especially evident during important moments like the selection of policy priorities. The depth and breadth of input at every stage was richer thanks to the diverse stakeholders that contributed.
​A commitment to diversity and equity infuses our work and decision-making at every stage, so as we assess action opportunities that align with these policy priorities, we are looking closely to ensure that we are supporting inclusive and effective policy solutions that address barriers faced by families who are marginalized, oppressed, or disproportionately impacted.

4. Will the USBC be developing materials for the policy priorities?

USBC closely monitors Congressional negotiations and action opportunities. Materials, talking points, action tools, and other resources are routinely developed and updated or shared from other organizations as appropriate.

Be sure to stay tuned for news and updates in the Weekly Wire newsletter.

5. What funding supports breastfeeding work besides the CDC line item?

Lactation support and research are built into a wide range of federally funded programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Food and Drug Administration, including:
  • Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country
  • Safe Motherhood and Infant Health
  • Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET)
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant
  • Healthy Start
  • Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)
  • Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women
...and more!
​
You can find details on the current status of federal appropriations bills related to infant feeding
on the USBC Funding & Appropriations webpage and in the Weekly Wire.

6. How can we find out if specific items are included within federal appropriations for breastfeeding? How can the field influence what is included in the federal budget?

The federal budget negotiation process is long with many steps and stages along the way.

The USBC staff works hard to closely follow and update the field at all stages, mobilizing action at
strategic moments in the negotiation.
  • Monitor: The USBC staff closely monitors and updates the field on Congressional action on appropriations.
  • Analyze: We publish detailed analyses on the President's budget and appropriations bills as they relate to infant feeding.
  • Mobilize: Each year, the USBC coordinates organizational sign on letters and individual action tools on the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding line item. Another important way to influence the federal budget process is through appropriations requests with Congressional offices. After the President's budget is released each year, the USBC submits appropriations requests for the CDC line item to the offices of House and Senate Appropriations Committee members.
  • Amplify: We also join and share partner letters and actions to amplify efforts across the maternal and child health field.
These action steps are shared in the Weekly Wire, so be sure to watch for news items like these in each edition.

7. Does the USBC ever participate in advocacy efforts that are not included in the policy priorities?

Absolutely. The policy landscape can be unpredictable, and as we clearly saw in recent years, external factors can create tremendous shifts in the nation's policy priorities. While the USBC expects to focus most closely on the policy priorities selected this year, we try our best to monitor all policy areas that impact babies and families.
​
In addition, USBC member organizations come together in action-focused workgroups that we call Constellations. Many of the current USBC-affiliated Constellations are working on policy solutions that extend beyond this year's specific priorities.

8. What does the USBC have planned next for advocacy?

Right now, the USBC staff is preparing State Breastfeeding Reports that outline key data and federally funded activities in each state/territory. This resource serves to demonstrate how federal funding decisions are making an impact and highlight the coalitions that serve that area. We hope you’ll stay tuned and continue to be engaged! National Breastfeeding Month (NBM) is also happening right now. That means it is the perfect moment to call on policymakers to take action. Learn more on the National Breastfeeding Month webpage.
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