GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LACTATION CARE AND SERVICES COVERAGE BILL INTO LAW
AB 2345/SB 3387 - An act to amend the social services law, in relation to lactation counseling services
New York, December 19, 2019 – Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the AB 2345/SB 3387 providing for Medicaid reimbursement for lactation counseling services in the state of New York.
According to the CDCs 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card, there is a startlingly low 4.57 CLCs and 3.79 IBCLCs per 1,000 live births - a combined 8.36 lactation care providers per 1,000 live births in the U.S., which is not nearly enough.
In New York there are 2,765 CLCs and 909 IBCLCs making a combined total of 15.14 lactation care providers per 1,000 live births. This bill would work toward ensuring greater access and choice for nursing mothers and ensuring
reimbursement for the professionals.
The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP) worked closely with legislators to introduce this bill. ALPP’s Director, Ellie MacGregor, MPH, CLC stated,
“This legislation will allow for Medicaid reimbursement for lactation care and support services provided by CLCs, IBCLCs, and other qualified lactation professionals who are accredited by a national accreditation agency. It is our
intention that this bill will increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates and expand access to care for all families in New York.”
MacGregor continues,
“It is the Academy's belief that this bill will ensure greater access and choices for nursing parents and ensure the reimbursement of CLCs and other qualified lactation support providers who work hard in their roles every day. We
commend the sponsors of this legislation, Senator Anna Kaplan and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, for embracing support for lactation care in New York and we commend you all for working in this field.”
Governor Cuomo plans to work with the NY Legislature to make some amendments to the bill, but has stated,
“I fully support the intent of this bill to increase access to lactation counseling services.”
ALPP provides a national certification program in breastfeeding and human lactation for nurses, physicians, dieticians, WIC personnel, peer counselors, independent lactation counselors, and others. Our mission is to promote
evidence-based knowledge and clinical competencies of lactation professionals. There are over 22,000 CLCs in the U.S. and territories helping families meet their own breastfeeding goals.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact ALPP at 508-833-1500 or via email at: info@alpp.org
.
Contact Ellie MacGregor, Director
Telephone 508-833-1500
Email info@alpp.org
Website www.alpp.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 12/20/2019GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LACTATION CARE AND SERVICES COVERAGE BILL INTO LAW
AB 2345/SB 3387 - An act to amend the social services law, in relation to lactation counseling services
New York, December 19, 2019 – Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the AB 2345/SB 3387 providing for Medicaid reimbursement for lactation counseling services in the state of New York.