Bill Overview
Title: Mother and Baby Formula Safety Act
Description: This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to publish on its website guidelines for individuals unable to obtain commercially available baby formula. The guidelines must include (1) instructions for preparing safe baby formula at home, (2) resources on how to find baby formula alternatives, and (3) other suggested alternatives.
Sponsors: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Target Audience
Population: Infants and caregivers using baby formula globally
Estimated Size: 7000000
- The bill directly affects individuals who rely on baby formula, particularly infants and their caregivers.
- According to data from World Bank and the U.S. Census, there are approximately 140 million babies born worldwide each year.
- Assuming most infants consume some form of baby formula, either exclusively or in combination with breastfeeding, the global population impacted includes approximately the number of infants born each year.
- In the US, there are around 3.6 million births per year, with a significant number of infants being fed baby formula.
- The bill also impacts caregivers, including parents and guardians, who are responsible for preparing baby formula and ensuring the nutrition of infants.
Reasoning
- The key considerations for distribution include targeting caregivers of infants under the age of one who rely on formula due to nutritional needs or lifestyle choices.
- Due to budget constraints, the policy's direct outreach may be limited, leading to a focus on digital distribution and partnerships with pediatric offices and community health groups to disseminate guidelines.
- We should expect a wide range of impacts from low to high, depending on individual dependency on formula and current accessibility issues.
- While the implementation and maintenance costs will remain under budget, the reach may be minimal for those without internet access, though indirect benefits through healthcare providers are possible.
Simulated Interviews
stay-at-home mother (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would give me peace of mind when formula is difficult to find.
- I often worry about recalls or shortages, so having clear guidance on alternatives is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
product manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could provide much-needed assurance in case our usual formula is unavailable.
- Having a trusted source for alternative preparation methods is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
pediatrician (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could greatly support parents with clear, concise, and safe guidelines, reducing anxiety.
- Access to alternatives when formula is scarce can prevent nutritional shortcomings.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
unemployed (Detroit, MI)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being able to prepare safe formula at home if needed is a relief, especially on a tight budget.
- This policy feels like a safety net during times when commercial formula is hard to obtain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the strain on new parents when formula isn't available; this policy offers valuable help.
- It will be beneficial for both personal planning and professional advice to parents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
non-profit worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Families I work with will greatly benefit from this policy as a reliable resource.
- This can improve health outcomes by guiding safe alternative feeding methods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
farm owner (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to formula alternatives or home preparation instructions would ease my worries.
- Living in a rural area, sometimes things aren’t available, and this keeps us prepared.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
software engineer (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This guideline will provide more options and educate us about healthy alternatives.
- Having twins sometimes complicates feeding, so more information is good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing how to prepare formula at home safely would be incredibly useful.
- We're still settling in and having consistent resources for our baby's needs is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
biomedical researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see a strong impact of this policy in scientific terms as it addresses both safety and nutrition critical points.
- It ensures minimum disruption for parents selecting or needing alternatives.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $750000, High: $1500000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $750000, High: $1500000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $750000, High: $1500000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The FDA's capability to keep guidelines updated and effective is crucial for ensuring the act's success.
- Collaboration with healthcare providers could enhance the reach and effectiveness of the guidelines.
- Monitoring and evaluating the reach and impact of the guidelines will be important to adapt them based on caregiver feedback.