Bill Overview
Title: Access to Donor Milk Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the provision of donor milk for infants by nonprofit milk banks, including by (1) allowing Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) funding to be used towards nonprofit milk banks, (2) establishing grants to expand the emergency capacity of nonprofit milk banks, and (3) establishing a donor milk awareness program.
Sponsors: Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Target Audience
Population: Infants requiring donor milk and their caregivers
Estimated Size: 35000
- The bill focuses on supporting access to donor milk, which is typically provided to infants who are unable to breastfeed or have specific medical conditions that necessitate donor milk.
- Globally, the target population includes infants who require donor milk due to various medical or developmental reasons, along with their parents or caregivers who are involved in obtaining adequate nutrition.
- The use of donor milk can be vital in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and similar healthcare settings, impacting the health and wellbeing of these infants significantly.
- Worldwide, there are millions of births annually, and a small percentage of these infants would potentially need donor milk.
Reasoning
- The policy focuses on supporting access to donor milk, which is critical for infants unable to breastfeed, especially preterm or medically fragile infants.
- The given budget indicates a significant investment aimed at improving health outcomes for this specific group, potentially affecting thousands of infants and their caregivers.
- While the direct target population is small relative to the total population, the benefits can be substantial for those impacted directly.
- Some individuals or families will not be impacted because their infants do not require donor milk, leading to a diverse range of responses.
Simulated Interviews
NICU Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The provision of funds for nonprofit milk banks could improve the recovery and health outcomes of infants in NICUs.
- As a nurse, I see firsthand how donor milk can be life-saving for some infants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Stay-at-home mom (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having donor milk available was a relief during a stressful period.
- Increased funding would likely make such programs more accessible for families in need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great to support infants who need donor milk, though it would likely not affect us directly.
- Important to have these programs for those in need, but I am not very informed about it beyond this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
High School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fully support policies that help babies in need, even though we never needed donor milk.
- Awareness programs are key to helping those in specific situations get the help they need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Pediatrician (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would likely improve early health outcomes for many infants in my care.
- Increased emergency capacity for milk banks is crucial in high-demand situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Full-Time Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I don't require this service, I understand its importance for infant health.
- Policy could improve public health outcomes by supporting vulnerable infants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Nonprofit Director (Portland, OR)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for milk banks is crucial in tackling disparities in healthcare access.
- Increased funding could alleviate some of the pressing shortages and accessibility issues we face.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance Writer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's refreshing to see support for families in crisis, even if I didn’t need it personally.
- Understanding that others benefit greatly from such support initiatives is comforting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Pediatric Nurse (Boston, MA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to donor milk can directly impact the survival rates of vulnerable infants.
- This policy reassures me that new generations will have what they need for healthy development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve the practices studied in my courses, especially regarding infant nutrition.
- Long-term benefits for early childhood development are extremely valuable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $47000000, High: $69000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring equitable access to donor milk across geographical regions will be a challenge.
- The scaling capability of existing milk banks to meet increased demand post legislation is critical.
- Coordination with established nonprofit networks is vital for successful execution and outreach.
- Monitoring and evaluating the program's impacts on infant health outcomes will be necessary.
- Logistical and regulatory considerations around donor milk safety and processing will require updates and oversight.