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Protect Sick Babies

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Our stories

Hear from moms, our legislative champion Rep. Thomas, and a clinician who has seen the benefits of donor milk firsthand. 

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Protect Sick Babies Act

The Protect Sick Babies Act (HB 2017), introduced by Representatives Wendi Thomas and Austin Davis, expands access to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM) by establishing insurance reimbursement for medically necessary donor milk.  

Find out more

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. 

House Bill 2017

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.

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 HB2017 Growing

Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Support for HB2017 Growing

Coalition Members:

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

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Protect Sick Babies

Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank

3127 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15201


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