Yesterday the Boston Globe and Associated Press printed stories regarding Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney replacing 3 Public Health Council members who were vocal in their support of removing formula company discharge bags from the hospital. Fearful that he might lose the good will of industry, he and the office of Administration and Finance have engaged in a behind-the-scenes political maneuvering that saw the prohibition of even submitting new language for a vote. This is someone who thinks he wants to run for president showing his true colors about his total disregard for public health. The story can be found at: _http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/05/20/romney_ove rhauls_ (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/05/20/romney_overhauls) _panel_that_backed_ban_on_baby_formula_giveaways/ The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) continues to work to update the new members of the Council and will be present on Tuesday for the Public Health Council discussion on the issue. The formula companies have been busy trying to counter our efforts with their bogus mothers' survey in Massachusetts and their hospital staff dinners that are thinly veiled attempts to bribe health care providers into supporting gift bags and infant formula. Veronica's description of the Mead Johnson dinner is a sad commentary on the ethics of many nurses and physicians. Is it any wonder why breastfeeding care and services in many hospitals are so poor. MBC has placed on its website a hospital report card of the hospitals in Massachusetts relative to their breastfeeding initiation rank and whether or not they distribute formula gift bags. You can see this at _www.massbfc.org_ (http://www.massbfc.org) . It always amazes me how nurses, physicians, and politicians can demonstrate such loyalty to formula companies while cavalierly risking the health of mothers and babies for "free" meals. Talk about selling out! Too bad they are not as interested in promoting and protecting public health. Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC Weston, MA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html