I wrote an editorial for JHL a number of years ago describing my experience
being investigated by an agent from the federal government based on a
complaint about me alledging restraint of trade concerning the White River
pump.  The complaint accused me of being an exclusive agent for Medela, and
of shutting the White River pump out of the Austin market.  I was happy to
show the agent around my office, pointing out to her the table covered with
various types of pumps that I demo-ed and sold, the boxes of spare parts to
service all the various pumps I handled, and records of having had a loaner
White River pump which I had examined carefully  and demo-ed for several
months.  I had read about the WR and wanted to see how it worked.  Most of
the women on whom I tried it described it as uncomfortable.  Several liked
it.  Because of the feedback from my clients, I decided not to carry that
particular pump, but I was 'politically' neutral about it, not having heard
of any similar harrassing incidents until after my own experience.

 It was unsettling to be accused of violating the law, esp. when there was
absolutely no truth to any of the accusations.  I was just lucky my record
keeping was so careful and I could defend myself with the evidence of how I
had been practicing (receipts, contracts, telephone logs, etc).   After
spending about 15 hours assembling all the material, and after two lengthy
in-person interviews with the investigating agent, she departed with
apologies for having inconvenienced me.  I thought seriously about sending a
bill to WR for the time and aggrevation.


Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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