As a Coalition, we have withdrawn our support of this bill because it has 
been watered down so much as to be nearly useless.  As it stands now, it actually 
legitimizes and puts into law "gift" bags, as long as they have disclaimer 
tags.  Below is our letter to the bill's sponsors.

To Whom It May Concern:
 
Upon review of SB 1275 as amended on May 11 and may 20, 2004, the San Diego 
County Breastfeeding Coalition regretfully withdraws its previous endorsement 
of this bill. 
 
As amended, SB1275 now explicitly permits the marketing and provision of free 
formula samples and related materials in all hospital areas including the 
maternity unit and nursery. As written, this effectively legitimizes the 
commercial distribution of formula in the healthcare setting. A disclaimer applied to 
products and samples distributed and marketed by the formula manufacturers 
will not obviate the mother’s perception of hospital “endorsement by association”
 or the deleterious effects of formula marketing on successful initiation of 
breastfeeding. 
 
The SDCBFC continues to strongly support the provisions in SB1275 which 
relate to staff education and the creation of a California Baby Friendly Task 
Force. We therefore suggest that the amended section relating to formula 
manufacturers be deleted entirely from the bill and the bill be allowed to go forward 
including only the educational and Baby Friendly task force provisions. This 
would still represent significant forward progress, not as great as initially 
hoped, but forward nonetheless. As presently written SB 1275 may actually set 
back the effort to develop “Baby Friendly” hospitals in California by “legalizing
” the hospital distribution of commercial discharge packs and free formula 
samples. The issue of commercial marketing of formula in health care facilities 
can be the focus of future legislation.
 
We very much appreciate your outstanding efforts moving SB1275 through the 
legislative process as well as your efforts to keep the breastfeeding community 
fully informed. We look forward to actively continuing our dialogue concerning 
this important public health issue.

Nancy
Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM
Neonatologist
Children's Hospital and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
San Diego, CA 
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