A policy that supports America’s breastfeeding moms came into effect 11 years ago. It’s still not applied

Sitting on a chair in the living room, the new mom watches as her baby boy breastfeeds. (Credit: Getty Images)

In 2012, an Affordable Care Act policy requiring commercial and Medicaid expansion plans to cover lactation support starting during pregnancy came into effect. It’s been 11 years–and nothing has happened. No change. Despite the White House announcing last year that the Department of Health and Human Services would begin enforcing the policy, we have yet to see any health plans held accountable.

As a third-time mom currently feeding a 12-week-old girl, I respectfully call for CMS to enforce the legislation and policy established in 2012. As the Kaiser Family Foundation report on Medicaid Coverage of Pregnancy-Related Services outlines, many states currently do not comply with the ACA’s requirement.