Bill Overview
Title: Formula Act of 2022
Description: This bill temporarily provides duty-free treatment to infant formula imported from countries meeting certain standards. The bill also makes formula imported under this bill eligible for purchase using benefits received under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Department of Agriculture may modify or waive certain qualified administrative requirements related to infant formula.
Sponsors: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Target Audience
Population: Infants worldwide who consume formula and their families
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill concerns the importation of infant formula, which is consumed by infants globally.
- Infants in families benefiting from duty-free import will see a potential drop in the price of formula due to reduced import costs.
- It impacts US families eligible for the WIC program, as the bill makes imported formula purchasable with WIC benefits.
- The bill targets countries meeting certain standards as sources for import, influencing those markets.
Reasoning
- The Formula Act of 2022 is specifically targeted at families with infants who rely on formula feeding, especially those eligible for WIC benefits. Given the budget constraints, the policy interventions will mainly impact low-income families or those with limited access to affordable formula options.
- The policy is expected to reduce the cost of formula due to duty-free imports, which theoretically lowers prices. The ability to use WIC benefits on these imported formulas further targets low-income families effectively.
- Since the budget is limited and focuses on a specific product (infant formula), the impact will be highly concentrated among WIC-eligible families rather than the general population, who may see indirect effects like minor price shifts due to market competition.
- Overall, the formulation of the bill considers both economic relief through cost reduction and nutritional access by broadening WIC coverage options.
Simulated Interviews
Retail Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help me afford formula more easily.
- It's good to have more options through WIC.
- I worry about the quality control of imported formulas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the effort to make formula more affordable, but we won't qualify.
- We buy a specific brand that isn’t covered by WIC or imports.
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 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill will help more than it hurts.
- It's reassuring that WIC covers more options now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to see formula costs might go down.
- I need a consistent supply and trust in the quality.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Restaurant Server (Chicago, IL)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sounds like a good move for first-time parents like us.
- Imported options need to be as safe as local ones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Homemaker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More options is good, but I'd like more focus on breastfeeding support.
- Formula is sometimes necessary, so this helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Financial Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family's financial situation won't change because of this policy.
- It's helpful for others in more difficult situations, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Looking forward to saving money on formula costs.
- Concerned about making sure the imported formula meets high standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on WIC and this could really improve our situation.
- It's important that the safety standards are maintained.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Freelance Artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Twins mean double the formula, so policies like these are important.
- I need assurance that imported brands are safe for my children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The duration of this act is temporary, so long-term fiscal impacts are minimal.
- International trade dynamics may change, affecting the importation process and cost savings.
- Domestic formula producers may face competition, potentially affecting the local industry.