Friends:

A story responding to and building on Ralph Nader's article hospital gift
packs of last week has been published by the Associated Press.  It appeared
in print in the Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader, Wed, Sept. 1st in the business
section.  I don't have the complete URL, but you can get there at
www.kentuckyconnect.com.  The title is "Taking home baby ... and a lot
more," by Laura Meckler, AP.

The core point is that Mr. Nader "is urging the American Hospital
Association to tell hospitals across the country that it opposes "such crass
commercialism at such a sensitive time" for patients."  Hospital nurse
managers respond that the patients really want the packs, and that the only
complaints come when one hospital gives out MORE than another!  The AHA
spokesperson responded that the group would research the issue and, if
appropriate, suggest that its members examine their policies.

One thing I found disturbing is near the end, when a Nurse manager noted
that she gets calls all the time from folks trying to market their products
through the hospital, and she countered that she does have time to sort
through all the offers.  Sounds to me like hospitals should have some kind
of centralized marketing office (which would have a policy against this kind
of material), so that managers wouldn't have their time eaten up with these
kinds of calls (and could focus on improving the breastfeeding management
skills and environment).

Go Ralph!!  I think it would also be good to talk to Consumer Union
(publisher of Consumer Reports) to do a review of breast pumps!  They're in
DC, so I'm certain between the ILCA Affiliates and LLL we could find plenty
of moms to 'assess' pumps.  Consumer Union has a website
<www.consumersunion.org> where we could probably leave email requests for
stories/reviews.  They also do reviews/oversight on health care -- maybe an
avenue for the Ten Steps!!!

--Doraine Bailey
Lexington, KY, USA

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