Judy: This is all a bit strange from the UK perspective. For some time now, hospitals have not been allowed to accept free or reduced cost formula - they are instructed by the National Health Service to pay 'market prices'. I do wonder what else US hospitals get for free. Are US hospitals allowed to do anything they want? Could they accept free supplies of anything eg if a hamburger fast food company offered to supply all the meals for children and adults, could they do that? I feel sure that would save the hospitals lots of money. I imagine it would be particularly helpful for paediatric wards. It strikes me that since the insurance companies seem to be all powerful, they must start a differential between Baby Friendly Hospitals and others. After all it would be in their interest - less to pay out for sick babies. Why not allow hospitals who are actively pursuing BF status to charge a bit more? Then the hospitals could purchase formula at market prices. We have to remember that the only reason that the formula companies love this so dearly is that it guarantees them future sales. They don't do anything unless they can see profits and increased sales at the end of the day. That is their raison d'etre. Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland