This is one portion of the discharge-pack discussion I've not seen
addressed yet.

In the U.S. (forgive me non-US lactnetters), State WIC programs are
required to seek bids from ABM manufacturers to give rebates and thus
get contracts with the program.  This means that the 'contract' formula
is what must be 'purchased' by the client (any other abm must be
justified with a phys. prescription).  In many states, there is a single
brand that is the 'contract.'

When the hospital gives a discharge kit with abm samples that are not
the 'contract' formula or use 'non-contract' abm to supplement babies,
moms fuss at the WIC office because their babies 'prefer' the
'non-contract' abm, and want exceptions made.  This means a lot of
paperwork for the staff, and moms who increasingly worry that their kid
won't tolerate the 'contract' stuff (AND increased costs to taxpayers!).

So, giving out discharge packs to 'help' poor moms may not be such a
great gift, even from the recipient's point of view.

Some hospitals try to give out the 'contract' discharge packs to the WIC
moms and the other packs to non-WIC moms.  Sounds like a lot of
unnecessary work to me (time better spent educating moms).

Of course, if the hospital is indebted to an ABM manufacturer for
facilities, stocking different kinds may not be a possibility.

Oh, btw, WIC isn't the only institution contracting with ABM co's.  Some
hospital systems now contract with big purchasing organizations. These
organizations, by buying big, are able to negotiate reduced costs on
various medical equipment and supplies (incl. ABM).  Some of these
contracts (with the purchasing org, NOT the Hospital) have clauses
noting that Discharge packs may not be altered in any way, and to do so
is to violate the contract.  So, in some cases, making purchasing
changes is not only an internal battle, it may also involve other
hospitals and purchasing organizations.  Whew!

--Doraine Bailey
Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept.

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