Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 106
03/14/2014 08:00 AM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB214 | |
| HB134 | |
| HB250 | |
| HCR18 | |
| HCR19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 134 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 250 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 214 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HCR 18-BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE
8:41:30 AM
CHAIR HIGGINS announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18, Encouraging hospitals and
birthing facilities in the state to participate in the Baby-
Friendly Hospital Initiative and to support breastfeeding; and
recognizing the benefits of breastfeeding.
8:42:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLY HUGHES, Alaska State Legislature, reported
that one in nine women suffer from postpartum depression, 34
percent of teenagers were obese, and 120 women out of 100,000,
in Alaska, annually develop breast cancer. She declared that
these were all associated to the importance for breast feeding.
Breast feeding offered "an unmatched beginning for children,"
and could reduce sudden infant death syndrome, childhood
cancers, and diabetes. She stated that mothers who breast fed
were healthier, and that there was a savings for health care
costs. She relayed that scientists were in agreement that
breast milk was the very best way to nourish babies, could
reduce the occurrence of ear infection and diabetes in infants
by 40 percent, could reduce symptoms of postpartum depression by
50 percent, and could protect babies from some of the effects of
pollution. She declared that research had shown that exclusive
breast feeding would also naturally space pregnancies. She
reported that breast feeding could save $52 million annually in
Alaska. She read a short quote from a nurse manager at the
maternity outpatient clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center:
"No public health campaign has a farther reaching, positive
affect on well-being and longevity." She pointed out that the
proposed resolution had a zero fiscal note, with no cost to the
families, as well. The resolution simply stated that the Alaska
State Legislature recognized the aforementioned benefits and
recommended that hospitals and birthing centers attain the baby
friendly designation by implementing the ten steps to a
successful breast feeding program. She declared that the
resolution had the support of many groups, including many
hospitals, the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home
Association (ASHNHA), the Academy of Nurses, and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as many other
national organizations.
8:46:46 AM
CHAIR HIGGINS asked for an explanation as to how the mechanics
for this resolution would work.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES replied that the hospitals all agreed that
"it's a good thing." She said that the proposed resolution
would be a motivator to be used as a public education tool.
CHAIR HIGGINS asked how the proposed resolution would get the
word out.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES said that, as a sponsor, she would get it
to the hospitals and birthing centers, although it did not
technically go to anyone.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS asked if her office would distribute the
resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES replied that her office would distribute
the resolution.
8:48:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR, reporting that she was a co-sponsor of the
proposed resolution, cited requirements for employers to provide
breaks for women to breast feed under the Affordable Care and
Patient Protection Act. She encouraged breast feeding and
making it easier for working mothers.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES shared an anecdote about a baby on the
floor of the House of Representatives. She noted that there was
also a reduction of child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence
associated with breast feeding.
CHAIR HIGGINS reported that the hospitals had encouraged breast
feeding for his five children.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES explained that hospitals would not offer
formula unless the mother could not breast feed, although
substance abuse mothers would not be encouraged to breast feed.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR shared that, as often the hospital stay was
brief, breast feeding had not yet initiated and required follow-
up to establish it successfully.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES emphasized that breast feeding was a
natural resource in the State of Alaska.
8:53:01 AM
CHAIR HIGGINS opened public testimony.
ALLISON CURRY, regional field organizer, Planned Parenthood of
the Great Northwest, said that breast feeding protected "both
infants and mothers from a host of chronic and acute diseases
and conditions." She offered that Planned Parenthood believed
nursing mothers needed to feel comfortable and supported in the
effort to provide for children. She recognized the need for
strong public policy "that safeguard nursing mothers' rights and
allow them to breast feed and express milk at their places of
work." She emphasized that health care providers should take
larger steps to encourage breast feeding by new mothers.
8:54:30 AM
CHAIR HIGGINS closed public testimony.
8:54:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HCR 18, Version 28-
LS0727\O, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being no objection,
HCR 18 was moved from the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee.
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