US State Policies for Medicaid Coverage of Donor Human Milk

Authors

Allison T. Rose, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA. atrose@emory.edu.
Emily R. Miller, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.Follow
Margaret Butler, Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Claire Eden, Georgia Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Jae H. Kim, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Shetal I. Shah, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
Ravi M. Patel, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1038/s41372-022-01375-9

Journal Title

Journal of Perinatology

First Page

829

Last Page

834

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2022

Department

Pediatrics

Abstract

Donor human milk is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for high-risk infants when mother's own milk is absent or insufficient in quantity. Several factors may contribute to the inequitable use of or access to donor human milk, including a limited knowledge of its effects, cost, reimbursement, and regulatory barriers. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the United States Surgeon General have called for investigating barriers that prevent use of donor human milk for high-risk infants and for changes to public policy known to improve availability and affordability. We review the current legislative, regulatory, and economic landscape surrounding donor human milk use in the United States, as well as suggest state- and federal-level solutions to increase access to donor human milk.

Recommended Citation

Rose, A. T., Miller, E. R., Butler, M., Eden, C., Kim, J. H., Shah, S. I., & Patel, R. M. (2022). US State Policies for Medicaid Coverage of Donor Human Milk. Journal of Perinatology, 42 (6), 829-834. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01375-9