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: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: Infants requiring donor milk
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill specifically targets infants who require donor milk, often due to health issues, inability of mothers to breastfeed, or other circumstances where breastfeeding is not possible.
- These infants are often found in hospitals, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), or are babies with specific medical needs.
- Infants from families eligible for the WIC program will be directly impacted since WIC funding may now be used toward accessing donor milk.
- Nonprofit milk banks that provide and distribute donor milk will be directly impacted by the expansion in funding and support through grants.
Reasoning
- To keep within the budget limits, the policy must be primarily focused on hospitals and medical facilities where neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) operate, along with areas with high WIC program enrollment.
- Given that about half of all infants are served by the WIC program, and only a subset of those will require donor milk, we'll simulate mainly families likely to be affected by access to WIC-funded donor milk.
- We'll consider also those in rural or underserved areas where access to donor milk was previously limited and where awareness programs could have a significant impact.
- The impact will vary among different social and economic backgrounds, as well as different geographic locations, because availability and prior access levels will differ.
- We'll also consider healthcare workers and administrators who are integral to the process of implementing such programs.
Simulated Interviews
Healthcare Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a game-changer for NICUs across the country.
- As a healthcare worker, I see the struggle of mothers who can't breastfeed and how donor milk can be life-saving.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Single Mother (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have been unable to provide the milk my baby needs, and formula isn't an option given his intolerance.
- If WIC can help us access donor milk, that'll be a huge relief.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Administrator at a nonprofit milk bank (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our facilities are constantly underfunded and overstretched.
- This policy could give us the ability to expand capacity and serve more families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Stay-at-home Mom (Houston, TX)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Donor milk is essential for my preemie.
- If WIC covers it, that's one less financial stress to worry about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Kansas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in a rural area, access to donor milk is more challenging.
- Awareness and availability from WIC will be a huge help to families like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Registered Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having sufficient donor milk will greatly improve care for newborns and infants under my care.
- This policy is promising in addressing gaps in infant nutrition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Pediatrician (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Families struggle to get sufficient donor milk due to cost and lack of coverage.
- This could be a game-changing support for low-income families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Lactation Consultant (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy supports our efforts to provide alternatives when breastfeeding isn't possible.
- Excited to see the wider acceptance and presumed availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Part-time Retail Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Just having donor milk as an option is going to be such a relief.
- We already struggle with expenses so this is a big weight off our shoulders.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Hospital Administrator (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having structured funding and support for donor milk can enhance service offerings.
- This policy integrates well into our existing frameworks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $22000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $24000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $37000000)
Year 5: $27000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $40000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The impact on infants' health could be substantial, although it is difficult to monetize health outcomes directly in this estimate.
- Nonprofit milk banks may require additional support beyond this program to sustain the expansion benefits, supporting systemic capacity needs.
- The integration of donor milk funding within WIC expands program deliverables, necessitating adjustments in WIC program management.