Should Lactation Consultations Be an Essential Health Benefit? Let the Department of Health and Human Services Know!

Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally.  When breastfeeding challenges arise, professional support from a lactation consultant (IBCLC) can make a world of difference for moms and babies struggling with breastfeeding.  Unfortunately many insurance plans do not cover lactation consultations, leaving families without access to breastfeeding support.

During the month of November, the Department of Health and Human Services is hosting regional listening sessions throughout the country to get public feedback on defining essential health benefits to be included in most employer-offered health plans.  This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts on why lactation consultations should be considered an essential health benefit covered by insurance plans.

Here are the details for the upcoming listening sessions:

City Date Time Location RSVP Info
Boston 8-Nov 1-3 PM John F. Kennedy Federal Building 15 New Sudbury St., Conference Room 2075 (20th floor) Boston, MA 02203

 

 R1-ORD@hhs.gov
Philadelphia 8-Nov 10 AM -noon Public Ledger Building, 150 S.Independence Mall West, Conference Rm 419, Philadelphia, PA 19106 aryanna.abouzari@hhs.gov
Dallas 9-Nov 10 AM – noon Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak Street, Dallas, TX 75204

 

 shelby.gooden@hhs.gov
New York 14-Nov 10 AM – noon 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3835 New York, New York 10278 Joynetta.Bell@hhs.gov
Kansas City 15-Nov 10 AM – noon Bolling Federal Office Building 8th Floor SSA Conference Room 601 E. 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64106

 

 Cindy.Cento@hhs.gov
Atlanta 16-Nov 10 AM – noon 61 Forsyth St. SW, Suite 5B95, Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 ORDAtlanta@hhs.gov
Seattle 17-Nov 2 – 5 PM Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave, South Auditorium, Seattle, WA

 

 Viveta.VanderSanden@hhs.gov
Denver 18-Nov 9 AM – noon 999 18th St. South Terrace, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202 Ezra.Watland@hhs.gov
San Francisco 21-Nov 3 – 5 PM 90 Seventh Street, Suite 5-100 San Francisco, CA 94103

 

 region9ord@hhs.gov

The USLCA has put together a helpful list of talking points that provides more information and resources. Please note that an RSVP is required to attend the listening sessions.

Let us know if you attend; we’d love to hear about your experience!