Michelle Obama is promoting breastfeeding.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/14/michelle-obama-to-promote-breast-fee
ding-as-irs-gives-tax-breaks/


Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is misinformed about the meaning of the IRS
ruling.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/15/rep-michele-bachmann-raps-first-lady
-over-breastfeeding-crusade/

"I've given birth to five babies and I breast-fed every single one,"
Bachmann told Ingraham. "To think that government has to go out and buy my
breast pump...That's the new definition of a nanny state."


IRS news release that a Rx is *NOT* needed to qualify:
http://benefitadvantage.com/documents/whatsnew/IRS%20Ruling%20-%20Breast%20P
umps.pdf

these items [breastpumps] will qualify for tax-free reimbursement from a
health FSA or HRA, or for a tax-free distribution from an HSA [Health
Savings Account]. The Announcement indicates that the IRS will revise
Publication 502 (Medical and Dental Expenses) to include this new
information.
[snip]
In the past, plans may have treated breast pumps as dual-purpose expenses
that could only be reimbursed if the participant provided a note from a
medical practitioner recommending the breast pump to treat a specific
medical
condition (e.g. a breast abscess), or as expenses that could not be
reimbursed at all. *The new guidance allows these items to be reimbursed,
regardless of the existence of a medical condition.*


This is a tax break for medical use funds--flex spending or HSA--like eye
glasses or dentures.  Other than for some WIC program clients, breast pumps
are not being purchased by the US government for breastfeeding mothers.
Judy

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