Arly,

If our businesses and/or professions are financially dependent or funded by
the government health care agencies, how much independence will we have from
the ebb and flow of politics?  Take for example, the DHHS's policy on hiv/aids
and breastfeeding.  If per chance you had doubts about this policy, would you
feel free to express those doubts?  Particularly, if funding is critical to the
survival of your business or profession?  And despite the fact that the DHHS
own's a patent on human lactoferrin to treat and inactivate hiv/aids. Frankly,
I  think that anyone would hestitate if what is at stake is your financial or
professional survival.

How does one keep a critical eye on any organization, if you get your money
from them or advertising?  It is very difficult.   Breastfeeding advocacy is
dealing with an agency that determines health care policy.  Who will influence
who?  Maybe we can hope that the DHHS will be won over by breastfeeding
advocacy.    Yet it is we, who have had to modify the ad campaign.  Does that mean
that breastfeeding has no impact on health problems like diabetes or leukemia?
No,  why would infant formula companies be putting insulin in formula in
imitation of human milk?  Why would there exist numerous patents on human milk
components (genetically engineered) to treat leukemia?

I believe that it is erronous thinking to believe that we will be giving the
US government direction because we receive funding from them.  It is more
likely that the US government will dictate to us how health care policy will
proceed in regard to breastfeeding.  And the example of this is that we have
accepted a modified ad campaign because Secretary Tommy Thompson of the DHHS didn't
like it.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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