H.R. 9007: Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act

The bill known as the Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act aims to assist parents and guardians in purchasing medically necessary infant formula and donor milk for infants in need. Here’s a breakdown of its main provisions:

Infant Formula Assistance

The Secretary of Health and Human Services will create a three-year pilot program called the Medically Necessary Infant Formula Pilot Program. This program will be designed to provide financial aid to eligible individuals who require assistance in buying covered infant formula or donor milk.

Manner of Providing Financial Assistance

The financial assistance can be offered in various ways, including:

• Establishing a voucher program
• Reimbursing eligible individuals for their expenses on covered infant formula or donor milk
• Granting funds to government or non-profit organizations that serve eligible individuals at the local level

Education

The Secretary will consult with health care providers to ensure that families are informed about the program and how to access its services.

Evaluation and Reporting

The Secretary will conduct annual evaluations of the pilot program to assess its effectiveness and report the findings to Congress. The evaluations will focus on:

• How many individuals benefited from the program
• The quantity of infant formula or donor milk provided through the program

Definitions

Important terms defined in the bill include:

• Covered infant formula: Infant formula that complies with established health laws.
• Donor milk: Human milk collected and processed by a regulated donor human milk bank.
• Eligible individuals: Parents or guardians of children under one year old (or older due to medical needs) who cannot breastfeed due to specific medical conditions or situations such as adoption or maternal health issues.

Funding

The bill authorizes $15 million for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2031 to implement and carry out the activities of the pilot program.

Duration of the Program

The program is set to last until three years after the bill is enacted, at which point the Secretary's authority to continue the program will end.

Relevant Companies

• HLF (Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.): A significant player in the nutrition and dietary supplement industry, Herbalife could potentially see an increase in demand for its infant formula products if approved for inclusion in the program.
• SYNA (Synaptics Incorporated): While not directly related to infant formula, Synaptics' technology could play a role in health monitoring devices that track infant feeding, which may indirectly impact demand for their technology products.