Report: Fort Worth, TX

By: Laurie Beck RN, MSN, IBCLC

         I was proud to represent the United States Lactation Consultants' Association at the Fort Worth Regional Meeting for Healthy People 2020 on April 14, 2008. I used the USLCA Talking Points as an outline to make a 3 minute speech. You sign up for the public comment portion the morning of the meeting. I chose to sign up at 7:30 am so as to get a lower number and get to speak early on. I turned in a copy of my written speech as well. Items added to the script were: 1) would like to see more Baby Friendly Hospitals in the United States and pointed out that there were none in Texas; 2) would like to see IBCLCs on staff in delivering hospitals to encourage and support lactation; 3)  would like to see Insurance Companies recognize lactation services and assist with breastfeeding pumps when needed, especially with moms who have a child in the hospital or for when moms return to work; and 4) breastfeeding facts that dealt with obesity, diabetes, cancer, environmentally friendly, and cost savings. I practiced the speech many times and it was close to 3 minutes, but not over. Speeches can be read or memorized. Last statement of my speech: "All babies deserve to receive human milk!"

        There were two other people who spoke about breastfeeding at the Fort Worth meeting. One person represented the USBC and the other represented the Texas Breastfeeding Coalition. The majority of speeches dealt with oral health as an issue. Other topics mentioned were the elderly, poison control, suicide prevention, mental health issues, immigration issues related to public health, decreasing the C-section and induction rates in the United States, focusing on healthy women for healthy pregnancies, premature births, HIV/Aids, and vision.

        Multiple times it was stated that the public is encouraged to post comments on the Healthy 2020 website and to join the listserv. The Secretary's Advisory Committee is planning to host a web-based meeting on May 1, 2008 for approximately 2 hours which will be opened to the public.

Laurie Beck, RN, MSN, IBCLC
USLCA Board of Directors
Corpus Christi, Texas