Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Announcing USBC Policy Priorities, CDC 2024 mPINC Hospital Reports Sent to Hospitals, & more

The USBC e-Newsletter, Staying Abreast, is published in a weekly news brief format, called the Weekly Wire (WW). Past issues are archived below.

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Announcing USBC Policy Priorities, CDC 2024 mPINC Hospital Reports Sent to Hospitals, & more

12/13/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Announcing USBC Policy Priorities for the 119th Congressional Session!
- Save the Date for the 2025 USBC Conference
- Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure for Winter Reset
National News
- 2024 mPINC Hospital Reports Sent to Hospitals
- Results of HHS Newborn Supply Kit Pilot
- Toolkit on Medicaid Reimbursement for Community Health Workers
State & Community News
- Policy Brief on Evidence of Paid Leave and Improved Maternal and Infant Health in New Jersey
- Texas Bill Introduced to Provide Paid Lactation Breaks for State Employees
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

denotes a USBC member organization news item denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

USBC Updates

Announcing USBC Policy Priorities for the 119^th Congressional Session!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee announced the policy priorities selected for the upcoming Congressional session: Infant Nutrition Security, Federal Funding for Breastfeeding, Paid Family & Medical Leave, Access to Lactation Support & Supplies, and Maternity Care Practices. Informed by more than 700 individuals across the country and selected by USBC member organizations, the policy priorities will guide USBC advocacy efforts during the 119^th Congressional Session, which begins on Friday, January 23, 2025.

Save the Date for the 2025 USBC Conference

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) will take place in Bethesda, Maryland, from Wednesday, June 4, through Friday, June 6, 2025. We're thrilled to once again be convening in person! The annual USBC Conference centers equity and belonging while providing practical tools and information for coalitions and organizations. Experts and leaders from across the First Food field come together for this singular event to catalyze policy and systems-level changes to better support breastfeeding and human milk feeding across the nation. NBCC sessions are designed to advance our collective understanding of the barriers that keep us from achieving national goals related to maternal, infant, and child health outcomes, in addition to sharing resources and promising solutions to overcome these challenges. The convening will feature an engaging selection of plenary speakers, panel presentations, and networking opportunities. Information on pre-conference workshops, special events, pricing, sponsorship, and marketing opportunities will be added to the USBC Conference webpage as it becomes available.

Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure for Winter Reset

The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire newsletter will be on hiatus for two weeks, beginning the week of Monday, December 23. The USBC office is closed for a winter break and reset from Monday, December 23, through Friday, January 3, returning to work on Monday, January 6, 2025. At the USBC, our mission to support families through equitable policies and systems is a year-round commitment. Yet, as Tricia Hersey reminds us, “Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.” We recognize the importance of pausing to rest, reset, and reconnect—with family, friends, and ourselves—so that we can continue this work with renewed energy and commitment. We are dedicated to creating a culture where wellness for infants and caregivers is upheld as a human right, not a privilege. While we are away, we invite you to consider supporting our vision by making a year-end donation to the USBC. Your contributions bring us closer to a world where every infant and caregiver thrives. We are deeply grateful for all the ways you partner with us—you put the "US" in USBC! Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a safe, healthy, and happy start to the new year!

National News

2024 mPINC Hospital Reports Sent to Hospitals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent an electronic version of the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) report for each participating hospital to the e-mail of the survey recipient in late November. If your hospital participated and you are unable to locate your hospital's mPINC report, please email [email protected] from your official hospital email address and be sure to include the hospital name and full address in your inquiry. The mPINC National, State, and Regional reports will be published on the CDC mPINC webpage in early 2025.

Results of HHS Newborn Supply Kit Pilot

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the "Newborn Supply Kits Reduce Maternal Stress and Improve Trust in Government: Results of the 2023 Newborn Supply Kit Pilot Program" report. The Newborn Supply Kit program delivers high-quality goods and resources to parents when they have a new baby. The kits include diapers, wipes, lactation supplies, information on government resources, and more. The findings show that providing critical supplies during the vulnerable postpartum period can have a strong positive impact on families' experiences.

Toolkit on Medicaid Reimbursement for Community Health Workers

The Milbank Memorial Fund released the "Medicaid Reimbursement for Community Health Worker Services: Model State Plan Amendment & Other Guidance" toolkit. Community health workers (CHWs) address health-related social needs through resource navigation, peer social support, health coaching, and advocacy. This toolkit provides model language for state Medicaid leaders and community health worker advocates to use as they develop State Plan Amendments and accompanying guidance documents to establish coverage and payment for CHWs.

USBC Insight: Many state Medicaid programs have submitted State Plan Amendments to include coverage of lactation support services.

State & Community News

Policy Brief on Evidence of Paid Leave and Improved Maternal and Infant Health in New Jersey

Rutgers University School of Public Health released the "Progress in Increasing Access to Paid Family Leave in New Jersey: An Evidence-Based Strategy for Improving Maternal and Infant Health" policy brief. The document describes the impact of New Jersey's expansion of the Family Leave Insurance program in 2019 and 2020, including a sharp increase in the use of family leave benefits among state residents. The brief highlights the impact of paid family and medical leave on infant and maternal health outcomes, including increased breastfeeding initiation and duration. Media highlights include:

Rutgers Today: "Rutgers Public Health Research Illustrates Rise in Use of Paid Family Leave in New Jersey"

Texas Bill Introduced to Provide Paid Lactation Breaks for State Employees

Texas State Representative González prefiled Texas House Bill 258. The bill would amend the Texas Government Code to require state agencies to allow each employee sufficient time off to express breast milk, without deducting from their salary or accrued leave. State employees would be eligible for paid lactation breaks for three years.