by Amy Spangler
February 23, 2007

The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) in cooperation with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) is developing a Model Benefit Plan for Children, Adolescents, and Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

The plan will include coverage for up to 20 lactation consultant visits per pregnancy for a mother and child (provided by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant or Primary Care Provider), and a $2,500 credit per child per year for banked human milk.

The plan is scheduled to be released May/June 2007. Employer education materials will accompany the plan and its feasibility will be tested at two demonstration sites beginning summer 2007.

The value of breastfeeding and human milk are reflected in the proposed plan. It is estimated that $3.6 billion could be saved annually if the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals were achieved.

In 2003, 60 percent of women worked outside the home with mothers representing the fastest growing segment of the workforce. One-third of working mothers return to work within three months of giving birth, and two-thirds return to work within six months—both critical time periods for breastfeeding.

Between 1981 and 2000, breastfeeding rates for working mothers increased 17 percent, nearly double the rate of increase for non-employed mothers. At the same time, there was no statistically significant increase in lactation program benefits according to a Society for Human Resource Management Survey.

Reported barriers to corporate lactation programs include fairness, logistics, space, security, milk storage/safety concerns, but the biggest barrier may be low demand. Employers provide what employees value, and many women are silent on the value of lactation care and services.

So what can you do to affect change?

1. Prioritize benefits, i.e. paid maternity leave, flexible work schedule, worksite lactation programs, extended maternity leave etc. and communicate these priorities to your employer.
2. Let employers know that breastfeeding is not just a family-friendly benefit but a health benefit.
3. Build the business case by communicating short and long-term cost savings.
4. Publish data that show cost-effectiveness of lactation programs.
5. Partner with well-known groups and respected organizations in advocating for health care coverage for lactation services.