Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire: Take Action in Support of Paid Leave & 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: Take Action in Support of Paid Leave & more

6/2/2023

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- USBC PUMP Act Webpages Updated
- Take Action in Support of Paid Leave
- June is Pride Month: Join the Celebration
- Explore & Apply to Join the Equity Champions Directory
- USBC Supports
- Weekly Wire Hiatus
National News
- AAP Policy Statement on National Standards for Neonatal Care
- AHRQ Evidence-Based Practice Center Program Grand Rounds
- NASEM Study on Infant Formula Marketing & Call for Experts
- HHS Pilots Program to Distribute Newborn Supply Kits
- Extending WIC for New Moms Act Introduced
- Brief on Paid & Unpaid Leave Policies in the United States
- Senators Urge USDA to Evaluate Opportunities to Strengthen Breastfeeding Support in WIC
- ICEA Position Paper: Delayed Bathing
- Webinar on EEOC Mediation Program
State & Community News
- Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Signed Into Law
- Paid Maternity Leave Program for Teachers Signed Into Law in Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage of Donor Milk
- New York Bill Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage for Lactation Consultant Services
- Michigan Bill Introduced to Protect Public Milk Expression
Funding Opportunities
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

USBC PUMP Act Webpages Updated

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee updated and expanded the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act website section. The information has been updated and reorganized into a series of webpages for easier access to the information you need. Explore each page to learn more:

PUMP Act Explainer: a resource from the PUMP Act Coalition outlining the provisions of the law.
PUMP Act Implementation Resources: a compilation of resources for educating the public, helping employers to comply with the law, and supporting families and employees.
The Story of the PUMP Act's Passage Into Law: a description of the advocacy efforts and congressional history leading to the passage of the PUMP Act.

Take Action in Support of Paid Leave

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched a new action tool: "Call on Congress to Support Paid Leave." Research clearly shows that access to paid leave makes a world of difference for lactating parents and their families, but only a small portion of workers in the United States have access to paid leave. Individuals can use the new tool to contact their legislators and urge them to establish a national paid leave program by passing the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. Visit the USBC Take Action webpage for other ways to take action in support of lactating people and families.

June is Pride Month: Join the Celebration

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. The commemorative month recognizes the impact that LGBTQIA+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Visit the Pride Month webpage for a compilation of resources for families and providers. If your organization hosts relevant human milk-feeding resources, share them with us by using the submission form. USBC member organizations are invited to share upcoming events for the USBC Events Calendar by submitting them through the USBC Member Portal.

Explore & Apply to Join the Equity Champions Directory

The USBC hosts the Equity Champions Directory, a resource for individuals and organizations to find support in operationalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their internal structures, policies, and programs. The directory is free and accessible on the USBC website. If your organization is committed to taking the next step in its equity journey, we encourage you to visit the directory to review and connect with the equity coaches, consultants, trainers, speakers, and evaluators listed therein. To apply for inclusion in the directory, we invite you to tell us about your expertise using the submission form. Please note that the inclusion of an individual in the Equity Champions Directory does not signify USBC endorsement of training content or views.

USBC Supports

March of Dimes: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act Coalition Letter. Deadline to sign on: Thursday, June 8.

Weekly Wire Hiatus

The Weekly Wire will be on hiatus the week of June 5 while we are hosting the 2023 National Breastfeeding and Convening in Bethesda, Maryland. We look forward to connecting with you at the event!

National News

AAP Policy Statement on National Standards for Neonatal Care

The American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement: "Standards for Levels of Neonatal Care: II, III, and IV." The standards delineate the components of care expected at each level of neonatal care, and include facility standards and practices related to breastfeeding and lactation support, which include having adequately trained personnel to support lactation. Media highlights include:

Health Day: "National Standards Developed for Neonatal Care"

AHRQ Evidence-Based Practice Center Program Grand Rounds

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is hosting the "Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program Grand Rounds on Maternal Health," on Wednesday, June 14, from 12-2 p.m. ET. The Grand Rounds will highlight two EPC reports:

NASEM Study on Infant Formula Marketing & Call for Experts

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will conduct an independent study: "Challenges in Supply, Market Competition, and Regulation of Infant Formula in the United States." This project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration. The study will assess and evaluate the characteristics of the U.S. infant formula market, challenges in supply or market competition, differences between infant formula marketed in the U.S. and in the European Union, and other related information. NASEM is seeking suggestions for experts to participate in this study and is accepting suggestions through Friday, June 9.

HHS Pilots Program to Distribute Newborn Supply Kits

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the non-profit organization Baby2Baby announced a new pilot program to distribute a Newborn Supply Kit made up of essential goods and critical maternal health items to new mothers and their infants. The Newborn Supply Kits consist of more than 20 items, including diapers and wipes, clothing, hygiene items, blankets and thermometers for newborns, and postpartum pads, lotion, cold packs, breastfeeding supplies, and carriers for new moms. HHS also launched the Welcoming a New Baby webpage for families to access critical information on health, feeding, sleeping, child development, and programmatic information.

Extending WIC for New Moms Act Introduced

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-7) introduced the Extending WIC for New Moms Act (S.1593/H.R.3332). The legislation would expand eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in the postpartum period from 6 months to 24 months and in the breastfeeding period from 12 months to 24 months. Read the press release from the Office of Lucy McBath.

Brief on Paid & Unpaid Leave Policies in the United States

New America released a brief: "Explainer: Paid and Unpaid Leave Policies in the United States: Federal FMLA and State Paid Leave Program Purposes, Utilization, Duration and Family Care Coverage." The brief highlights the shortcomings in the current federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), which guarantees job-protected but only unpaid leave to a limited share of the workforce. The explainer describes the paid family and medical leave programs in 12 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) that are currently or will soon go into effect, including duration and utilization rates.

USBC Insight: After the publication of this explainer, Minnesota became the thirteenth state to pass legislation implementing a paid family and medical leave program. Learn more in the State & Community News section below.

Senators Urge USDA to Evaluate Opportunities to Strengthen Breastfeeding Support in WIC

Senators Duckworth (D-IL) and Daines (R-MT) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build on efforts to promote breastfeeding through the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and further evaluate how the program can be strengthened to expand access and help ensure breastfeeding support services can better reach low-income participants who wish to breastfeed their infants. The letter urges USDA to work with States to identify and remove barriers in State WIC policies and provide families with the opportunity to breastfeed, should they wish to do so.

ICEA Position Paper on Delayed Bathing

The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) published a position paper titled "Delayed Bathing." Research shows that delaying the first bath after birth can have a significant impact on early breastfeeding. ICEA issued this paper encouraging parents and care providers to consider delaying the first bath.

Webinar on EEOC Mediation Program

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is hosting a webinar: "All You Wanted to Know About EEOC's Mediation Program," on Wednesday, June 14, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The event will include a facilitated discussion about the EEOC's mediation process and its benefits.

USBC Insight: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including lactation. Employees who believe they have been subjected to pregnancy discrimination can see an EEO Counselor to try to resolve the situation and learn about their rights. If appropriate, the employee may also be offered the opportunity to try to resolve their case through mediation.

State & Community News

Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Signed Into Law

Minnesota Governor Walz signed House Bill 2 into law, providing up to twenty weeks of paid family and medical leave. Under the new program, starting January 1, 2026, most workers in the state will be able to take job-protected paid leave for their own serious health condition; to bond with a child within one year of the child's birth, adoption, or placement for foster care; to care for a family member with a serious health condition; to address certain military family needs; or for safety leave to address certain needs arising from domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault. Media highlights include:

ABC News: “Minnesota governor signs paid family and medical leave act to give workers up to 20 weeks off”
A Better Balance: “More Exciting News from Minnesota: Statewide Paid Family & Medical Leave is Now Law!”

Paid Maternity Leave Program for Teachers Signed Into Law in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1121 into law, providing six weeks of paid maternity leave for full-time public school district employees who have been employed by the district for at least 1 year. The benefit also applies to all people employed full time as teachers or classroom instructional employees by CareerTech, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Corrections, and the Office of Juvenile Affairs. The maternity leave shall be in addition to, and not in place of, sick leave. The Legislature is required to annually appropriate adequate funding to the Public School Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund created in the measure.

Pennsylvania Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage of Donor Milk

Pennsylvania Representative Oberlander introduced House Bill 1111. The bill would require medical assistance coverage for medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk for inpatient and outpatient infants when needed. Infants covered through the Medicaid program would be eligible for coverage of pasteurized donor human milk when medically prescribed. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services would also be required to support public awareness of the availability of pasteurized donor human milk and educate families and healthcare providers about this life-saving medicine.

New York Bill Introduced to Require Insurance Coverage for Lactation Consultant Services

New York Senator Salazar and Representative Jackson introduced Senate Bill 7126/Assembly Bill 3980. The bill would require insurance coverage for lactation consultant services by professionally certified counselors who evaluate and manage lactation and infant feeding problems and provide preventative clinical consulting to prevent or minimize the occurrence of potential problems.

Michigan Bill Introduced to Protect Public Milk Expression

Michigan Senator Irwin led the introduction of the Breastfeeding Antidiscrimination Act (SB 0351). The bill would expand current state protections of the right to breastfeed in public to include milk expression.

Funding Opportunities

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: "Addressing Conditions To Improve Population Health (ACTion)." Application deadline: June 30.

Health Resources and Services Administration: "Maternity Care Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Training Program." Application deadline: June 30.

Little Giraffe Foundation: "2023 Neonatal Research Initiative - Request for Proposals." Application deadline: June 25.