Stuart Bill Requiring Health Insurers to Cover Donated Breast Milk Signed into Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, requiring health insurance providers to cover donated breast milk, was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  The new law will increase access to donated human breast milk, which can be vital to the health of medically fragile babies. 

“For children in a medically fragile state, human breast milk is best for them in terms of nutrition and development,” Stuart said. “Lack of coverage from an insurance provider should not be an obstacle for what is best medically for an infant, especially those that are critically ill.”

Stuart’s House Bill 3509 requires that pasteurized, donated human breast milk be covered under health insurance and the medical assistance program under the Illinois Public Aid Code.  This bill will help infants that are critically ill, as well as in cases in which their mother cannot physically provide their own breast milk.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast milk can reduce the risks of asthma, obesity, ear and respiratory infections and even sudden infant death syndrome.

“Pediatricians recommend that infants receive breast milk to aid in proper health and development,” continued Stuart. “This new law will guarantee that the medically fragile infants that need donated human breast milk for their health will be covered under medical insurance.”