HANG IN THERE MARSHA!!!
Kudos to you for taking a stand and not being intimidated by this
situation.  I know exactly where you're coming from.  When I try to
speak out about how formula salespeople has such free access to the
unit, but pump reps can't even meet with the LCs, it is considered one
more piece of evidence about how insensitive I am to the feelings of
formula feeding moms and how resistant I am to other ideas!  I was
accused of being rude when our supervisor invited the MJ rep to our LC
meeting to tell us of the "wonderful formula that now has the same brain
benefits as breastmilk"!  I asked some pointed questions and refused to
answer his "loaded" questions framed to get an indirect endorsement from
us.  Yesterday, when the rep came on the floor (he did have his visitor
badge prominately displayed-a tiny step) a couple nurses, and especially
the unit secretary broke into a smile, waved and said, "Hi, E.....!"
What have you got for us today?  GRRRRR  I wimped out and just avoided
giving him the opportunity to greet me.  The catch-22 is that I was the
LC who worked with his wife when she had her babies!  Of course, he
feels that gives him an inside track and shows how "supportive" he
really is of breastfeeding.

Can you get copies of the hospital policies regarding vendors?  How
about AAP statement on breastfeeding?  If you can back up what you say
from sources that aren't "pushing breastfeeding" it might carry more
weight.  (Not that there's anything wrong with info from LLL or ILCA,
but I suspect in your situation it would fall on deaf ears.)

You said: "Maybe a lawsuit or a tv news expose is what it's going to
take! "  More power to you if you can do this!  Perhaps a letter to
whoever is "above" the medical director outlining your side and the
reasons you acted as you did would be in order.

Good luck, and thanks again for standing up for what is right.

Winnie

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