Bill Overview
Title: Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For example, the bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state.
Sponsors: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: Families with infants who rely on formula
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill focuses on emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of infant formula.
- Infant formula shortages primarily impact families with infants who rely on formula as a primary source of nutrition.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves low-income women, infants, and children up to age five.
- Globally, not all countries have programs similar to WIC, but all countries have populations that use infant formula.
- The reach of WIC-like programs outside the U.S. can vary greatly, and many do not exist, affecting the comparable scope of impact.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts families participating in the WIC program, targeting low-income families with infants reliant on formula. Given the policy's budget constraints, it aims to mitigate supply chain disruptions effectively to ensure continued availability of infant formula.
- The selected interviews include individuals from different geographical locations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and family situations, reflecting the diversity among WIC participants.
- Considerations include primary reliance on formula for infant nutrition, variations in economic need, and how supply chain issues previously affected families.
- The goal is to envisage a mix of high-impact and low-impact outcomes, along with individuals who are largely unaffected due to either self-sufficiency or alternative nutritional practices (e.g., exclusive breastfeeding).
Simulated Interviews
Retail Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm always stressed about formula shortages. If this new policy can guarantee that there won't be disruptions, it would take a big weight off my shoulders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Stay-at-home Mom (Rural Kansas)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In our rural town, supply chain issues hit us hard. A policy that ensures formula availability would be a lifesaver during any crisis.
- It's good to know the government is taking steps to protect us in such situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software Developer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Since we do not use formula, this policy won't affect us directly. However, it's comforting to know there's a plan for those who need it.
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 |
Part-time waitress (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm constantly budgeting to make sure I have enough for all we need. Knowing that formula supply could be more stable is a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I teach in a low-income school district and see firsthand how crucial WIC is. Personally, I feel a bit more secure with this policy in place for formula security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Formula is our backup plan, so knowing it's available reliably is reassuring even though we primarily breastfeed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Chef (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In a city where everything is expensive, securing formula for our newborn gives us one less thing to worry about. Love the initiative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Graphic Designer (Portland, OR)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see policies consider the diverse dynamics in family setups like ours, especially with an adopted child needing formula.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Scientist (Austin, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Generally well-off, but conscious of potential crises. It's calming to know formula shortages are being addressed on a systemic level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- WIC is a lifeline for me, especially now that I'm raising my grandson. Policies like this give us room to breathe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The extent of supply chain disruptions and subsequent costs are difficult to predict, influencing cost estimates.
- Cooperation levels with infant formula manufacturers may affect administrative cost effectiveness.
- This policy might set a precedent for future supply chain management within other parts of USDA.