Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Mental Health and MAMA Act Introduced in House, & More

Weekly Wire: February 13, 2026

The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire e-Newsletter is a compendium of news, actions, and resources considered to be of interest or relevance to the breastfeeding field. The newsletter aims to support the USBC mission "To drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States." Included items are submitted for consideration or identified by the USBC e-news team via extensive online review. Whenever possible, the newsletter utilizes language directly from the primary source of an item without additional analysis or edits. In some cases, the USBC offers additional perspectives through the "USBC Insights," media and partner highlights, and the "News & Views" section. Inclusion of an item in the e-newsletter does not imply endorsement or support by the USBC of an item or organization, unless specifically noted. 

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: Mother Nurture Maternity and Mothers' Milk Bank California 
• International News
  • Practical Tool to Support Children with Feeding Disabilities in Humanitarian Settings
• National News
  • Mental Health and MAMA Act Introduced in House
  • TRICARE Stabilizes Doula Reimbursement Rates Under Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration
• State & Community News
  • Alabama Bill Introduced to Defer Incarceration for Pregnant Women Until After Childbirth
  • New York Bill Introduced to Require Adequate Lactation Rooms in Workplaces
  • Utah Bill Introduced to Expand Postpartum Leave for State Employees
• Action Opportunities
• 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: Mother Nurture Maternity and Mothers' Milk Bank California 

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to the USBC member network as of January 2026! Through the coming weeks, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter will be highlighting 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 Mother Nurture Maternity and Mothers' Milk Bank California. 

Mother Nurture Maternity is a lactation practice and training organization committed to increasing breastfeeding rates and improving maternal-infant health outcomes through accessible lactation care, community education, and an online mentorship program for aspiring IBCLCs. It provides compassionate, evidence-based breastfeeding support to families both locally in West Georgia and virtually across the country.

Mothers’ Milk Bank California (MMBCA)—founded in 1974—is one of the nation’s longest-serving nonprofit milk banks accredited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). MMBCA collects, pasteurizes, and distributes donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the western United States. The organization’s mission is to ensure that every infant in need has access to lifesaving donor milk, support maternal health, and advance the science of human milk. 

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International News

Practical Tool to Support Children with Feeding Disabilities in Humanitarian Settings

The Global Nutrition Cluster launched a practical tool for community and frontline health workers that provides inclusive feeding and disability resources. Children with disabilities who experience feeding difficulties are often overlooked by existing health systems. This resource provides clear guidance for the screening, management, and follow-up of children with feeding difficulties/disabilities, aiming to empower health workers to deliver life-changing support to children and caregivers in vulnerable contexts. 

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National News

   Mental Health and MAMA Act Introduced in House

Representative Moore (WI-4) introduced the Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable (MAMA) Act (H.R. 7227). The bill would ensure that more pregnant and postpartum women of all backgrounds can afford mental health care and substance use disorder services by eliminating cost-sharing for treatment during pregnancy and for one year postpartum. Senators Shaheen (NH) and Baldwin (WI) announced companion legislation in the Senate. Read the press release.

TRICARE Stabilizes Doula Reimbursement Rates Under Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a notice, "Modifications to the Reimbursement of Childbirth Support Services Under the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration." The notice announces modifications to the DOD's reimbursement methodology for certified labor doulas under TRICARE's Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration. The change, effective March 1, 2026, establishes a stable baseline rate that will be updated annually by the Medicare Economic Index with geographic adjustments, ensuring rates never fall below Medicaid levels and preventing the volatility that threatened provider participation. This modification affects only doula services; reimbursement for certified lactation consultants and counselors under the demonstration remains unchanged.

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State & Community News

Alabama Bill Introduced to Defer Incarceration for Pregnant Women Until After Childbirth

Alabama Representative Hollis introduced HB54. The bill would require pregnant women admitted to jail to be assessed for pregnancy and, if pregnant, released on bail or granted pre-incarceration probation until 12 weeks postpartum, unless they pose a significant threat to themselves or others. Women would be required to self-surrender 12 weeks after giving birth, with failure to do so constituting a misdemeanor offense.

New York Bill Introduced to Require Adequate Lactation Rooms in Workplaces

New York Senator Cleare introduced S8667. The bill would require employers to provide designated lactation rooms that are hygienic, well-lit, private, and equipped with a chair, working surface, refrigerator for lactation purposes, clean running water, and an electrical outlet. The bill would also require employers to develop and distribute written lactation policies to employees upon hire, annually, and upon return from childbirth.

Utah Bill Introduced to Expand Postpartum Leave for State Employees

Utah Senators Fillmore and Lincoln introduced SB229. The bill would extend paid postpartum recovery leave for state employees from three weeks to nine weeks, to be used starting on the day the employee gives birth. The leave would run consecutively to the existing three weeks of parental leave and concurrently with leave authorized under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

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Action Opportunities

 California Breastfeeding Coalition:

• "CLASP-BC Focus Group – Community Interest Form." Application deadline: n/a.
• "Community Activation Marketing Partner." Application deadline: n/a.

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Funding Opportunities

 New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force: "2026 Seed Funding Application." Application deadline: Friday, February 20.

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Upcoming Events

Thursday, March 5:

• National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers & Voices for Healthy Kids: "Power Prism®: Coalition Building & Maintenance"

Thursday, March 26:

•  Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition: "Webinar: Healing Generational Trauma Cycles Through Breast/Chestfeeding and the Role of the Counselor"

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News & Views

A Better Balance: "Parents of Babies in the NICU Deserve Stronger Workplace Protections"

AL.com: "Breastfeeding moms would have more workplace protections under new Alabama bill"

Axios Pheonix: "Arizona bills aim to expand access to lactation care"

Center for Economic and Policy Research: "Closing the Gaps on Paid Leave"

Child Trends: "New State Paid Leave Policies Grant Parents Access to Critical Prenatal Care"

KJZZ: "2 bills advance to require AHCCCS to cover lactation counseling"

National WIC Association: "National WIC Association Applauds 21st Century WIC Act; Urges Congress to Pass Legislation"

WOWK 13 News: "First breast milk depot opens in West Virginia, expanding access for mothers and infants"

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Journal Publications

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: "Breast-feeding is inversely associated with asthma and IgE sensitization up to young adulthood" Media highlights include:

• Healio: "At least 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding lowers odds for asthma in later years"

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U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
1629 K Street NW Suite 300 | Washington, District of Columbia 20006
(773) 359-1549 | [email protected] 

 

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