Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Blueprint on Equitable Access to Donor Milk & 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 - Blueprint on Equitable Access to Donor Milk & more

10/20/2023

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Joint Letter Urging Support for the Access to Donor Milk Act Delivered to Congress
- Welcome New USBC Members: Nurturely & Washington State Lactation Collaborative
- Donate Your Old Vehicle to the USBC and Make a Difference!
National News
- HMBANA Launches the Equitable Donor Milk Access Blueprint
- FDA Updates to Infant Formula Compliance Program
- 2025 DGA Draft Protocols Updated by Advisory Committee
- Part Time Worker Bill of Rights Act Introduced in House and Senate
- TRICARE Plan Program Changes
State & Community News
- Multilingual Social Media Toolkit to Educate Families
- California Bill to Exempt Breastfeeding Supplies from Sales Tax Signed into Law
- Florida Bill Introduced on Incarcerated Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Action Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

Joint Letter Urging Support for the Access to Donor Milk Act Delivered to Congress

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee-affiliated Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Constellation delivered the joint letter calling on Congress to prioritize the Access to Donor Milk Act to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The letter is signed by 199 organizations and was bolstered by more than 500 individuals who contacted their legislators about this important legislation. The bipartisan Access to Donor Milk Act (S. 2819/H.R. 5486) would strengthen the national infrastructure for pasteurized donor human milk banks and help protect infant nutrition security. Additional organizational signers will be added to the letter on an ongoing basis and will be included in future deliveries to Congress. Add your organization to the letter today!

Welcome New USBC Members: Nurturely & Washington State Lactation Collaborative

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome two new organizations to the USBC membership! The Nurturely mission is to promote equity in perinatal wellness and strengthen cultures of support for infants and caregivers through preventative knowledge-sharing, collaborative exploration, and proactive community engagement. The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington is a statewide network of individuals, local community coalitions, and partner organizations working to increase initiation, duration, and exclusivity rates of breastfeeding/chestfeeding through promotion projects, education, and resource sharing with the larger aim of establishing human milk feeding as the cultural norm in Washington. The USBC warmly welcomes both organizations to the USBC community!

Donate Your Old Vehicle to the USBC and Make a Difference!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has partnered with CARS, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that turns old vehicles into cash that directly benefits the USBC. By donating your used or otherwise non-functioning vehicle, boat, plane, trailer, RV, or even farm equipment, you will be contributing essential funding for our continued advocacy efforts. CARS has made the donation process seamless from start to finish with experts who are prepared to handle all the details for you. All you need to do is complete a simple form or make a call. Then you can sit back and embrace the space you are opening up in your driveway, garage, or shed, all while feeling great about your donation! Not only does your donation make it possible to continue advocating for human milk feeding protections, but it may be tax-deductible for you too. Visit the Ways to Give webpage to learn more and get started today!

National News

HMBANA Launches the Equitable Donor Milk Access Blueprint

The Human Milk Banking Association of America published the "Equitable Donor Milk Access Blueprint." The Blueprint addresses the pressing issue of inequitable access to donor milk, which can have a profound impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable infants and their families. By providing evidence-based strategies and solutions, the Blueprint encourages healthcare providers, policymakers, and funders to implement sustainable and inclusive practices to support equitable access to donor milk. Read the press release.

FDA Updates Infant Formula Compliance Program

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the infant formula compliance program for FDA investigators, laboratory analysts, and compliance officers. The compliance program is designed to outline the agency's approach for inspections, sample collection, sample analysis, and compliance activities to help ensure that infant formula products are safe and nutritious. The updated program builds on lessons learned and elaborates on new infant formula-related requirements that were included in the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act of 2022. This effort is part of the FDA's ongoing commitment to strengthen the safety, resiliency, and oversight of the infant formula industry. Learn more from the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Constituent Update, "FDA Issues Updated Compliance Program for Infant Formula."

2025 DGA Draft Protocols Updated by Advisory Committee

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee updated the draft protocols for scientific questions that inform the Dietary Guidelines. A protocol describes how the methodology will be tailored to answer a specific question. The updated systematic review protocols and food pattern modeling (FPM) protocols are available for review. The nutrient profiles modeled in these FPM analyses are based on dietary intake data among the U.S. population ages 12 months and older. Under the proposal, the contribution of complementary foods and beverages consumed by infants less than 12 months will not be included in the calculation of nutrient profiles. Public comments about the protocols can be submitted through Tuesday, November 17.

Part Time Worker Bill of Rights Act Introduced in House and Senate

Senator Warren (D-MA) and Representative Schakowsky (D-IL-9) introduced the Part Time Worker Bill of Rights Act (S.2850/H.R.5578). The legislation would make more part-time employees eligible for family and medical leave by guaranteeing any employee who has worked for their employer for at least a year access to federal leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The bill would also require large employers to offer available hours to current, available, qualified part-time employees before hiring new employees or subcontractors and allow part-time workers to participate in their employers' pension plans.

TRICARE Plan Program Changes

The Department of Defense (DOD) issued the "Notice of TRICARE Plan Program Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2024." The DOD Defense Health Agency is required to provide public notice each calendar year in connection with the annual open season enrollment period with a summary of changes to the TRICARE program. The notice states that, effective January 25, 2023, in keeping with industry norms of shipping packages of 100 versus the earlier-covered 90 breast milk bags, TRICARE began cost-sharing for 100 breast milk bags every thirty days.

State & Community News

Multilingual Social Media Toolkit to Educate Families

The Alameda County Latina Chicana (LatCh) Lactation Taskforce published the LatCh Social Media Toolkit. The toolkit includes videos, suggested captions, hashtags, sample text messages, and helpful resources for peer counselors to share with families. The content reflects effective messages for families on common breastfeeding questions, including colostrum, milk supply, engorgement, latching, preventing nipple pain, and crying during the second day of life. The videos are available in Spanish, Mam, and English.

California Bill to Exempt Breastfeeding Supplies from Sales Tax Signed into Law

California Governor Newsom signed AB1203 into law. The new law exempts sales and use taxes from the sale of breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, breast pump kits, and breast pads in the state of California.

Florida Bill Introduced on Incarcerated Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Florida Senator Jones and Representative Hart introduced Ava's Law (SB 100/HB 237). The legislation would require that, upon her request, every female arrested and not released on bond within 72 hours after arrest be administered a pregnancy test; requires detention facilities to notify each arrested female of her right to request a pregnancy test; and authorizes a sentencing court to stay the beginning of the period of incarceration for up to 12 weeks after the pregnant woman gives birth or is no longer pregnant. The bill would require that within 10 days after the commencement of the woman's incarceration to serve the sentence, she must be offered an appropriate postpartum assessment by a licensed health care practitioner or a telehealth provider to assess the need for any necessary medical tests, procedures, lactation support, mental health support, or treatments associated with her postpartum condition.

Action Opportunities

Michigan Breastfeeding Network: "Protect Public Human Milk Expression As SB 351 Moves To Full Senate Vote."

Funding Opportunities

AABC Foundation: "Request for Proposals - Research Grants." Letter of Intent Deadline: Wednesday, November 15. Application deadline: Monday, January 15, 2024.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA):