What's happening
This bill requires insurance policies covering prescription drugs in New York to also cover the cost of donated breast milk.
Why it matters
Addresses a critical infant health need. Donated breast milk is often required for premature or medically fragile infants when a mother’s own milk is unavailable. Insurance coverage could make this life-saving resource accessible to more families, especially those facing financial barriers.
Reduces financial strain on families. Without insurance coverage, the cost of obtaining donor breast milk can be prohibitive, sometimes costing hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. This bill would help alleviate that burden for New York families.
Promotes health equity and better outcomes. Access to donor milk is associated with lower rates of serious infant complications, such as infections and necrotizing enterocolitis. By mandating coverage, the bill could help reduce disparities among infants from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Aligns insurance with medical best practices. Many hospitals and physicians already recommend donor breast milk in specific cases. This legislation ensures that insurance policies keep up with evolving standards of neonatal care, supporting doctors’ ability to prescribe the best nutrition for vulnerable infants.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Donated Breast Milk
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Insure Donated Breast Milk
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7190
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring insurance coverage for the cost of donated breast milk
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 34 to read as follows:
(34) Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 20 to read as follows:
(20) Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (oo) to read as follows:
(oo) Every contract issued by a hospital services corporation or a health services corporation which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11233-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring insurance coverage for the cost of donated breast milk
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
Section 2. Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
Section 3. Every contract issued by a hospital services corporation or a health services corporation which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of the donated breast milk.
Justification
Insurance coverage for donated breast milk would provide families assistance with the costs of human donor breast milk. There are many benefits to human milk. Human breast milk contains antibodies that help fight off viruses and bacteria. Newborn babies who are fed breast milk within the first six months have fewer infections and respiratory illnesses. In addition, breast milk also reduces the risk of a baby developing asthma or allergies.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.