Ask your state senator to support senate bill 500!

Protect Sick Babies

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Help protect sick babies.

Ask your PA state senator to support SB 500 and help babies across PA access the lifesaving donor milk they need to thrive. 

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What does a milk bank do?

Senate Bill 500 | Owen's Law

Owen's Law, or Senate Bill 500, has been introduced in the Pennsylvania State Senate by Senators Michele Brooks and Judy Schwank. This legislation will expand access to pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) by requiring Medical Assistance coverage for medically necessary donor milk. 

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. 

Owen's Law

Owen's Law will require medical assistance coverage for medically necessary donor milk for infants in inpatient and outpatient settings 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
  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome; or
  • Other conditions where the use of donor milk is deemed medically necessary.

Who does donor milk help?

AaliyahGideonKhaleesia

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

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Support for Owen's Law

  • 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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