Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - BABES Act Re-Introduced, 32 Years of FMLA, & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition & Next Generation Family Services 
  • USBC Supports...
• Special Section on 32nd Anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act
• National News
  • Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act Re-Introduced
• State & Community News
  • Birthing Care Pathway Report Provides Policy and Care Model Roadmap for Medi-Cal Members
  • Oklahoma Bill Introduced to Require Medicaid Coverage of Donor Milk
  • Arkansas Bill Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage of Lactation Support Services
  • New York Bill Introduced to Require Access to Lactation Rooms in the Workplace
  • 2025 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being Compares In-Hospital Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates
• Funding Opportunities
• Upcoming Events
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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

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USBC Updates

Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition & Next Generation Family Services 

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to the USBC member network as of January 2025! Through the coming weeks, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter will highlight two of the new member organizations, presented in alphabetical order. Access the archive to review past editions. The USBC warmly welcomes all new and returning member organizations to our table! This week we are highlighting the Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition and Next Generation Family Services.

The Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition aims to inspire, educate, and build community support to make breastfeeding the norm for infant feeding in Nevada. The Southern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition and Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition recently merged to form this new statewide coalition.  

Next Generation Family Services provides equitable access to lactation resources and support to empower and educate families in the Greater Lansing area. They also provide prenatal breastfeeding and safe sleep classes as well as free car seat checks to their community. 

USBC Supports...

Congress: Job Protection Act Endorsement Letter

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Special Section on 32^nd Anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act

This week marked the 32^nd anniversary of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child. Research shows that workplace leave is associated with increased breastfeeding rates. Highlights from the field include: 

•  MomsRising: MomsRising released the "It's the 32^nd Anniversary of the FMLA" action tool. Individuals are invited to sign the petition calling on Congress to support the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 
• NPWF: The National Partnership for Women and Families published updated resources on paid and unpaid leave.
  • The "Key Facts: The Family and Medical Leave Act" fact sheet breaks down key data points on the utilization of the FMLA since its passage and highlights ongoing gaps in access, revealing that nearly half of workers are not eligible for FMLA leave.

FMLA Anniversary News & Views:

• A Better Balance: "32 Years After the FMLA, Workers Still Urgently Need a Federal Paid Leave Program"
• Association of Professional Flight Attendants: "32^nd Anniversary of the Passage of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)"
• Family Values @ Work: "FMLA Anniversary Statement"
• National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers: "Celebrating 32 Years of the Family and Medical Leave Act: Advancing the Need for Paid Family Leave."

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National News

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act Advanced by Senate Committee

Senator Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative Swalwell (D-CA-14) introduced the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (S.260/H.R.820) with original bipartisan cosponsorship. In 2016, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Act was signed into law, requiring hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The BABES Enhancement Act would build on the BABES Act by directing the TSA to issue guidance to ensure the hygienic handling of breast milk. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full Committee Executive Session to consider this and many other pieces of legislation. The BABES Enhancement Act was ordered to be reported favorably. Media highlights include:

• Congress: "Swalwell & Duckworth Introduced Legislation to Make Air Travel Easier for Parents with Breast Milk"
• River Bender: "Bipartisan Duckworth-Daines-Cruz-Hirono Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Passes Committee"
• The 19th: "Senators are trying — again — to make air travel easier for breastfeeding parents"

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State & Community News

Birthing Care Pathway Report Provides Policy and Care Model Roadmap for Medi-Cal Members

The California Department of Health Care Services released the "Birthing Care Pathway Report," a comprehensive plan to improve maternity care for Medi-Cal members. This roadmap covers the journey of all pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members from conception through 12 months postpartum, including breastfeeding, aiming to make care accessible, equitable, and patient-centered.

Oklahoma Bill Introduced to Require Medicaid Coverage of Donor Milk

Oklahoma State Representative Lawson introduced Oklahoma House Bill 1577. The bill would require Medicaid coverage for medically necessary donor human milk-derived products in an inpatient or outpatient setting for an infant whose gestationally corrected age is under 12 months. In addition, the bill would require the covered donor human milk-derived products to adhere to quality standards as determined by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board.

Arkansas Bill Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage of Lactation Support Services

Arkansas State Representative Hudson introduced Arkansas House Bill 1333. The bill would require health insurance entities to include coverage for medically appropriate outpatient services provided by a breastfeeding and lactation consultant during pregnancy and through the extended postpartum period in health benefit plans offered within the state. Coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services would not be subject to an annual deductible, copayment, or coinsurance limit as established for other covered benefits.

New York Bill Introduced to Require Access to Lactation Rooms in the Workplace

New York Assemblymember Forrest introduced New York Assembly Bill A3998. The bill would require employers to provide a designated room or other hygienic location for employees to express breast milk and require employers to conspicuously post written policies regarding the rights of lactating employees.

2025 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being Compares In-Hospital Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates

Children Now released the "2025 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being." The interactive tool features county-level data to improve understanding of the state of children’s health, education, and welfare in all 58 California counties. The tool tracks 40 key indicators of child well-being, over time and by race and ethnicity, including exclusively breastfeeding after birth.

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Funding Opportunities

 Health Resources and Services Administration: "Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program: Base and Matching Grant Awards." Application deadline: Monday, April 21.

National Institutes of Health:

• "Leveraging Network Infrastructure to Conduct Innovative Research for Women, Children, Pregnant and Lactating Individuals, and Persons with Disabilities (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)." Application deadline: n/a.
• "Limited Competition: Advancing the Science of Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Required)." Application deadline: Saturday, April 5.

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Upcoming Events

Wednesday, February 26:

• "Indian Country ECHO: "Early Relational Health: Parents, Caregivers, and Babies ECHO" (Recurring Meeting)

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News & Views

 HealthConnect One: "Moms in Trenton, New Jersey  Receive the Gold-Standard of Care Through CHSNJ  Community-Based Doula AMAR Program"

KOB: "Paid Family and Medical Leave proposal passes first committee"

New America: "Paid Leave in 2025: Three Crucial Battlegrounds for Working People and Families"

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Journal Publications

 Pediatrics: "A Hospital-Based Initiative for Infant Safe Sleep Practice" Media highlights:

• AAP Journals: "A Look Into the Role of Hospitals in Modeling and Educating on Safe Sleep in the Newborn Period"