Advocating for Pasteurized Donor Human Milk: The Journey for Medicaid Reimbursement in New York State.

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses recognize that federal policies fail to reimburse for the provision of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) to the very low birth-weight neonate, and have encouraged members to advocate for the inclusion of PDHM into their respective state Medicaid programs. This article describes what occurred in New York State as advocates worked for reimbursement of PDHM reimbursement by Medicaid. Tactics utilized in New York have been presented with an advocacy framework to illustrate the necessary strategic foresight required for productive engagement within the healthcare policy arena. Examination of employed advocacy efforts targeted to remove known cost barriers associated with PDHM. Full utilization of PDHM within intensive care. The necessity to engage in scholastic/evidence-based advocacy work.