IRS : Breastfeeding Not Medical Care and A Call to Action
It has been argued that breastfeeding not only provides food, but also baby’s first immunization. By passing antibodies from mother to baby, it is a way to help prevent disease. In fact, a study released by Harvard last year concluded that if mothers followed recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for six months the US could prevent the death of 900 infants a year and save $13 billion dollars in health care costs.
In the midst of the recent health care overhaul, the American Academy of Pediatrics requested that the IRS reclassify breastfeeding supplies as medical care expenses, but the request was denied. According to the IRS, breast milk is food and does not qualify as a form of medical care.
It is recommended that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue for at least a year. For the many moms who only have 3-6 months of maternity leave, to continue breastfeeding, they need to purchase a breast pump and supplies that can range in cost from $300-$1000. In some cases, even establishing breastfeeding is difficult and require support from a lactation consultant in order to ensure success, which can also cost several hundred dollars. Unfortunately, these women will not be able to use their tax – sheltered health care accounts to help with these expenses. This is ironic considering pimple cream and artificial turf for allergy sufferers are tax-deductible.
It is also in stark contrast to the recent Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding on January 20th by Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, which presents specific policies and activities to support, promote and protect breastfeeding. The Call to Action recommends hospitals become more “baby friendly” as outlined by UNICEF/WHO’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, clinicians be trained to properly care for breastfeeding mothers and babies, employers establish paid maternity leave and quality lactation support programs, and families as well as communities support breastfeeding mothers, so that they can continue to breastfeed for the duration recommended by the World Health Organization and others.
The 2010 CDC report on breastfeeding states that 75 percent of US babies start out breastfeeding, but by six months the number of exclusively breastfeeding infants drops to only 13 percent. The Call to Action will help to bring these numbers up and hopefully as policies begin to change, the IRS will reverse their policy as well, and encourage nursing mothers with a little financial support!
Lets help spread the word, and take action by signing this petition urging the Internal Revenue Service to reverse their decision. http://action.momsrising.org/sign/irsbreastfeeding/?fs=fb
Sources for this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/business/27breast.html?_r=1
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-ciagne/surgeon-general-calls-the_b_814316.html