I was in the office of a state legislator yest. with other members of the
Legislative Committee of our local Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition.
We are engaged in some lobbying for some bfg related issues.  As are many
other states, Texas is going to experience a huge budget deficit this year,
and the first thing everyone wants to know is are we asking for money.  As
it happens, we are not, but during the discussion in this particular office,
it was revealed that the senator we were visiting is on a select committee
on health with a focus on prevention.  I was waving around the USDA funded
Weimer cost analysis that shows a potential savings of 3.6 billion dollars
in health care spending on just 3 common childhood illnesses/conditions
(gastroenteritis, otitis media, NEC). For just about the first time ever in
my experience, a law maker actually looked interested in this fact.  The
aide's ears literally pricked up and she asked if we could provide her some
copies of the documentation.  It may be that the budget deficit will have
the one small silver lining of provoking some interest in the cost savings
issues related to bfg.  This may be just the time to hammer away on the idea
that we can't afford to ignore the health risks of formula.  It costs too
much.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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