The New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force this year(even before we heard of
this year's theme!) decided that we wanted to do something with the
insurance companies. So, we decided to invite them to come speak to our
group and tell us what services and equipment they cover. Our goal was to
open the lines of communication between the providers of lactation services
and the insurance companies. We invited them to speak about 20-30 minutes
and to be our guest at lunch. We had informational packets for the
speakers as well as the participants(task force members from all over the
state). Packets contained research articles on cost savings with
breastfeeding, the APA statement, and WBF Week information. We had a very
positive response from insurance companies with all except one(they sent
the questionnaire, but couldn't send anyone because of vacations) of the
major insurers in our area participating. We developed a questionnaire that
was a guide to their presentation. The questionnaires will be compiled and
distributed to task force members who were unable to come and to anyone
else who is interested. Results:
        Insurers and providers got to meet face to face.
        Providers learned that a lot of things were negotiable.
        Insurers learned about frustrations of providers calling to get approval
and it  taking a long time, getting different stories from different
people, etc.
        Providers learned that insurers were interested in learning more about
breastfeeding and its benefits and cost savings.
        Insurers met people they could call when they needed info on bf.
        Providers learned names of key people to contact when they had questions
or had problems with coverage.

I hear a lot of feelings of helplessness and frustration on Lactnet. In my
hippie days I wanted change immediately. But, I've learned that change
occurs more slowly and "one bite at a time"(how to eat an elephant) And
I've learned that one can make a difference. Kathleen Auerbach asked me to
put Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech on Lactnet. It speaks to the
power that each one of us has to make that change!
Call to Worship
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves,
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?
Your are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
As we let our light shine,
We give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically lliberate others.

As I read Lactnet, I realize how special you all are-helping women and each
other!
Carol L'Esperance, RN, MSN, IBCLC