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