Weekly Wire: PUMP Act Explainer, Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Prioritize Breastfeeding, & 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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Weekly Wire: PUMP Act Explainer, Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Prioritize Breastfeeding, & more

1/13/2023

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act: What You Should Know
- Take Action: USBC Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Prioritize Breastfeeding
- Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Budget Analysis
- Reminder: Monday 1/16 Deadline for Call for Speakers for USBC Conference
National News
- HRSA Webinar on Women's Preventative Services
- Clinical Lactation Milk Expression & Pumps Special Issue: Call for Manuscripts
State & Community News
- Florida Lactation Spaces in County Courthouses Legislation
News & Views
- PUMP ACT & PWFA News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act: What You Should Know

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, A Better Balance, American Civil Liberties Union, Center for WorkLife Law, National WIC Association, and MomsRising teamed up to develop an explainer document on the PUMP Act titled "The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act: What You Should Know." The explainer provides details on the new law's protections, including who is covered, what protections are available, and what remedies are available if an employer does not comply.

Take Action: USBC Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Prioritize Breastfeeding

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee released an organizational sign-on letter welcoming the new Congress and urging them to prioritize breastfeeding during the 118th Congressional Session. Specifically, the letter calls on Congress to advance five policy priorities identified by the USBC and membership:
•   Federal funding for breastfeeding
•   Infant nutrition security
•   Access to lactation support & supplies
•   Workplace protections
•   Maternity care

The letter will be delivered to all Senators and Representatives as part of the USBC Welcome Congress campaign. Coming off of the important legislative wins of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, we hope to have a strong showing of support as we step into this Congressional session! The sign on deadline for organizations to be included in the initial delivery of the letter is Friday, January 27. Additional signatures will be added on a rolling basis.

Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Budget Analysis

The USBC published a blog titled "FY23 Federal Budget Signed Into Law: What It Means for Infant Feeding," and updated the "Federal Appropriations for Breastfeeding" webpage. The Senate and House passed and the President signed the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus spending package into law. The package contains all twelve appropriations bills which include a variety of funding provisions that impact breastfeeding and lactation, as well the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The USBC blog and webpage provide a detailed analysis of the spending package and what it means for the lactation field and the families we serve. Highlights include:

$9.75M for the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program, level funding from the previous fiscal year
$90M for the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, level funding from the previous fiscal year
$1.25M for an analysis of the macroeconomic, health, and social costs of U.S. breastfeeding rates and national breastfeeding goals

Reminder: 1/16 Deadline for Call for Speakers at the 2023 USBC Conference

The 2023 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) will be held on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10, 2023, and will take place in person in Bethesda, MD. We will host a pre-conference workshop day on June 8. The 2023 conference theme, Expanding Connections and Partnering for Progress, speaks to the importance of developing relationships and aligning efforts within and beyond the lactation community to amplify our impact and unlock solutions for a better tomorrow for mothers and lactating parents.

Innovative content and expert speakers that are interested in leading dynamic main-stage sessions are invited to complete the 2023 NBCC Plenary Speaker Interest Form. We seek thought leaders, storytellers, motivators, organizers, trainers, and partner organizations with applied experience engaging in:

Bridging gaps between local and state policies and initiatives to optimize breastfeeding support for priority populations
Building sustainable partnerships and aligning efforts within the First Food field
Building relationships with partners outside the First Food field
Developing/using tools for strategic and impactful communication to promote and bolster support for breastfeeding/human milk feeding
Building organizational sustainability, including acquiring and maintaining financial support
Transforming organizational culture to reflect the diversity, equity, and inclusion principles that lead to justice and belonging

Speakers will be paid an honorarium. If you have expertise or practical experience related to the learning goals, please complete the 2023 NBCC Plenary Speaker Interest Form by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, January 16, 2023.

National News

HRSA Webinar on Women's Preventative Services

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), are hosting a webinar titled "Women's Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) Overview," on Tuesday, January 24, from 3-4:30 p.m. ET. This is an opportunity to learn about the Women's Preventive Services Guidelines, which include breastfeeding services and supplies; HRSA's cooperative agreement with ACOG to develop, review, and update recommendations for women's preventive healthcare services; and opportunities to support the implementation of the current recommendations into standard clinical practice. To learn more about current WPSI recommendations around comprehensive lactation support services, visit the HRSA website.

Clinical Lactation Milk Expression & Pumps Special Issue: Call for Manuscripts

Clinical Lactation, the official journal of the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA), is planning a special issue focusing on the expression of human milk and pumps. This special issue will provide education, research, and shared experiences on the topic to strengthen the conversation and improve the client experience. The journal issued a call for manuscripts, inviting submissions of articles on new research or case studies that address social, policy-related, or logistical considerations for parents. Special consideration will be given to articles that focus on the unique aspects of the US-specific healthcare system as this is the locale of the primary readership. The deadline to submit is July 15, 2023. The Clinical Lactation website offers submission resources.

State & Community News

Florida Lactation Spaces in County Courthouses Legislation

Florida Senator Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Ashley Gantt (D-Miami) filed joint legislation to create a lactation space for nursing mothers in all county courthouses. The Florida House (HB 87) and Senate (SB 144) bills would require all Florida courthouses to have a private, clean and accessible lactation space for mothers to nurse or pump breastmilk. The space would need to be available for all courthouse patrons, including attorneys, jurors, and courthouse staff. Media highlights include: