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 *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome