In a message  Kathleen Bruce <[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Since I am on a roll about WIC /US gov purchasing of infant abm...I have
>another far fetched suggestion, (but it seems like  a good idea to ME! : )
>
>Families who breastfeed, don't use alcohol..don't smoke, etc...use
>seatbelts, etc should get a break on their insurance premiums.
>
>People who choose to smoke, drink to excess, and otherwise abuse their
>bodies, should be MORE.  <snip>

I have taken that idea one step further.  People that do the correct
behaviors should be PAID in CASH in the form of rebates from the insurance
premiums.  I would like to see a study done somewhere that determines how
much cash it takes as an inducement to convince significantly more women to
breastfeed for significantly longer time.

I have heard of these programs elsewhere that were effective:
a program that pays teenagers 1 dollar per day that they are not pregnant.
  ($356 is alot cheaper than public assistance for a delivery, baby, and
teenage mom)
Austria allegedly pays the families the Equivalent of US$600 when the child's
immunization  series is completed.
Singapore pays women cash to have prenatal visits.
Another place pays women cash to have their mammograms done.
There was a proposal (never enacted) in Kansas to pay for the procedure AND
to pay cash to women if they had norplant contraceptive implanted.
Yes I know we could debate the ethics of the all of these plans.  I think
that if appropriate controlled and documented studies are done, they may show
that it would be more cost effective and produce better outcomes than current
promotion efforts.

I predict that at some time some HMO or insurance Company executive will have
a light bulb go off and realize that they will save money in the long run by
paying mothers to breastfeed.  Rather than having to pay for the medial bills
related to otitis media, dehydration due to diarrhea, hospitalizations for
anyreason, diabetes management, colitits management, breast cancer therapy,
they would pay for BF.  I know, I know that there are legions of LCs that are
saying,"First they have to pay us!"  I agree with you too. Governments may
well find that the costs assoicated with abuse and neglect will be lessened
by paid nursing.  Yes I know there are potentials for abuse and alot of kinks
to be worked out, but this might work.  It might be easier to prove the
overall cost reductions in countries that have socialized medicine since the
payors are so fragmented in the USA.

If anybody knows of a study similar to the one I have described, I would be
most interested to hear about it.

********************************************************************
*  Jon Ahrendsen, M.D. FAAFP, LLLI Medical Associate   *
*  215 13th Ave SW                                                        *
*  Clarion, Iowa 50525  USA                                            *
*  515-532-2836, FAX 532-2523, Email [log in to unmask]   *
********************************************************************