Dear Lactnetters: I really enjoyed the thread on how to talk to families of sick babies to encourage them to express milk for their infants. What compassion and reason everyone provided! I'm curious about what the hospital administration/billing and insurance companies think about this? Has anyone had this kind of situation where the mom was willing, but then gets 'stuck' with the bill from the hospital, or the ins. co. refuses to pay for a pump/kit? Is the pump and kit merely included with lump-sum items automatically paid by ins. co's. for a NICU stay? What about the baby that survives and thrives but is not able to sustain mom's milk supply at discharge -- is having a pump rental paid by ins. co. a factor in her willingness/ability to continue to provide baby with human milk and/or breastfeed? This may seem a little 'cold-hearted', but Chief Financial Officers are not necessarily reputed for their compassion -- they're primarily interested in the bottom line. Patient health and satisfaction seem a bit lower on the list of priorities. I don't work in a hospital or NICU, but am really interested in the 'economic' issues surrounding breastfeeding. You can email me privately or post to list, whatever works for you. TIA Doraine Bailey Breastfeeding Support Services Lexington-Fayette Co. (KY, USA) Health Dept. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com