• Support Licensure for Lactation Consultants in Washington State

    Posted on July 16, 2016 by in Licensure and reimbursement
    Mother With Newborn Baby Talking With Health Visitor At Home

    IBCLCs are expert healthcare providers in the field of lactation

    The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded preventative health care services to include breastfeeding support. As of August 1, 2012, health plans in the United States were generally required to cover “breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling” in conjunction with each birth.

    Yet, here we sit years later, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), who are best qualified to support community-based breastfeeding in the State of Washington aren’t accepted by insurance plans.

    There is no guarantee of insurance reimbursement – even though the wording in the ACA’ s Women’s Preventive Care Guidelines state that health insurance should cover: “comprehensive lactation support and counseling, by a trained provider during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period, and costs for renting breastfeeding equipment.”

    A volunteer group of Breastfeeding advocates, “The Washington Lactation Consultant Licensure Collaborative”, is seeking the help of the public to support licensure of IBCLCs in the State of Washington.

    We need stories from families across the state about not being able to get lactation support or getting erroneous information from individuals with little or no breastfeeding training. In addition, we could also use testimonies from health care professionals who consult with IBCLCs and believe in the importance of access to lactation services.

    We need stories submitted directly to The Washington State Department of Health prior to July 24th, 2016.

    Please complete this form or email the DOH directly at [email protected].

    Thank you for supporting licensure of lactation consultants in Washington State.

    Call to Action - Submit Your Experience to WA DOH

     

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