California’s Assembly Bill 3059, known as the Human Milk Bill, has marked a significant advancement in neonatal care by expanding insurance coverage and hospital access to donor milk, resulting in a 30% increase in demand. This surge has put pressure on the current supply, highlighting the urgent need for more nursing mothers to donate milk to ensure vulnerable newborns receive this essential nutrition.
The legislation mandates commercial insurance coverage for medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk and removes the requirement for hospitals to have a tissue bank license to distribute milk from a licensed tissue bank. These changes have made donor milk more accessible and affordable for families, but the donor base has not expanded at the same rate as the demand, risking delays in care for infants in need.
Jennifer Benito, CEO of Mothers’ Milk Bank California, emphasized the importance of community action to bridge the supply gap. The organization has introduced new donation options to make the process easier for donors, including Saturday screening appointments, at-home milk pick-up services, and additional drop-off locations. These efforts aim to meet the growing demand for donor milk, which is now being used not only in NICUs but also in Well Baby and Postpartum units, where it has shown to reduce feeding complications and support infant health.
With over 36,000 preterm births recorded in California in 2023, the need for donor milk is more critical than ever. Mothers’ Milk Bank California is calling on eligible nursing mothers to donate, stressing that every ounce can make a significant difference in the lives of newborns. The success of AB3059 depends on the community’s response to this call for donations, ensuring that all babies who need donor milk can access it without delay.
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