Thanks, Jeanette, for the sanest comment I've read yet on this thread.
Vicky York, IBCLC, CPD
Postpartum Care Services
Portland, Oregon
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/vmyork/
www.ikarma.com/user/vmyork
----- Original Message -----
From: LACTNET automatic digest system
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 9:01 PM
Subject: LACTNET Digest - 6 Jul 2008 (#2008-746)
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2008 15:33:43 -0700
From: Jeanette Panchula <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Pump rentals and Lactation Services
There are so many different aspects of this topic - and I'm choosing to
address the one that is MY biggest concern right now in our area:
Even though Medi-Cal (medical services and supplies for low income residents
of California) WILL reimburse for pump rentals (at a rate of $2.72/day, they
require Treatment Authorization Requests- TARs- when the bill reaches $50,
which is a little over 18 days), there are few agencies that are approved
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers in many areas of our state - and
in order to become a DME provider you must have a business license, which
many IBCLCs in California do not have.
For this reason, for low income women, breast pumps are ONLY available
through WIC.
If not enough IBCLCs want to take this on, what if Babies 'R' US would
become DME providers and then breast pumps could be rented to women whether
they are rich or poor? OK, probably not but...
I know we are concerned about the abuse of breast pumps - mothers renting
pumps that do not need them, moms renting pumps when what they really need
is a careful assessment of her breastfeeding. These are legitimate concerns
- but they are not really Babies 'R' Us or Medela's responsibility....
I believe that responsibility is OURS
...WE need to get the word out to moms that they need/deserve a
breastfeeding assessment as recommended by the AAP.
...WE need to publicize/reach out/market/communicate the value of our
services withn our communities
...WE need to communicate to health care providers better and more
effectively so they realize that we ARE a valuable collaborator just as
Physical Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Optometrists, etc. WE do what
they don't have the time or interest in doing - and we do it BETTER!
Babies 'R' Us doesn't teach how to put car seats into cars, doesn't teach
how to mix formulas, doesn't teach how to assemble the furniture they sell
or how to put on the baby carrier - and they won't take on Breast Pumps for
many good reasons including that they aren't qualified to do it, and in the
litigious society of the United States - they'd be CRAZY to take that on!
...so I think each one of us needs to decide what aspect of lactation
services WE want to take responsibility for
promoting/publicizing/collaborating with others ...and GO FORTH - not
because Babies 'R' Us and Medela are doing what they are doing but because
that is what WE need to do!
Instead of being angry and reactionary we need to be PROactive and positive!
When we reach out to others in a positive vein rather than in an angry
"those evil xxx or yyy" people, we gain respect and are seen as the
professionals we say we are!
Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
California, USA
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