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Protect Sick Babies

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Unable to join us on Sept. 19th in Harrisburg? Want to hear from SB 1202/HB 2017 supporters? Use the link below!

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What does a milk bank do?

Owen's Law / Protect Sick Babies Act

Owen's Law (SB 1202) introduced by Senators Michele Brooks and Art Haywood and the Protect Sick Babies Act (HB 2017), introduced by Representatives Wendi Thomas and Austin Davis, would expand access to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM) by expanding insurance coverage and reimbursement for medically necessary donor milk.  

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Why donor milk?

Human milk is essential for the well being and health of all infants, but it is especially necessary for infants born prematurely or ill. For medically fragile infants, an all human milk diet provides unparalleled protection against severely life-threatening complications that can lead to lengthy hospital stays, multiple procedures, readmissions, life-long disability, or death. 

SB 1202 & HB 2017

Owen's Law and the Protect Sick Babies bill would cover medically prescribed PDHM for inpatient and outpatient infants who have serious health conditions such as: 

  • Very low birth weight
  • Gestational age equal to or less than 34 weeks
  • A high risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
  • Congenital heart disease requiring surgery in the first year of life
  • A congenital or acquired gastrointestinal disease
  • The need for an organ or bone marrow transplant
  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome; or
  • Other conditions where the use of donor milk is deemed medically necessary.

Who does donor milk help?

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10 Fewer Hospital Days on Average

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

In a retrospective study of 140 infants with small bowel atresia or gastroschisis, those receiving PDHM to supplement mother's own milk had a shorter hospital stay (25 vs. 35 days) and less central line (used for TPN) days (20 vs. 28 days) in comparison to infants that were supplemented with formula. 

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

An exclusive human milk diet has been shown to decrease the overall incidence of NEC by up to 80% and the rate of surgical NEC, which carries a 40% mortality rate, by over 90%. Those infants who acquire NEC despite having an all human milk diet have a less serious course of disease, recover quicker, and rarely require surgery. 

Support for Owen's Law and Protect Sick Babies Bill

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Support for Owen's Law and Protect Sick Babies Bill

  • Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank
  • PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Western PA Lactation Consultants Association
  • PA Breastfeeding Coalition
  • Geisinger Health System
  • March of Dimes PA
  • YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

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3127 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15201


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