The Affordable Care Act
requires insurance companies to cover breast pumps and visits with lactation
consultants. New insurance plans, many of which reset at the start of the new
year, will now have to reimburse new mothers for these services.
Just what do lactation
consultants do? Why is their work considered a preventative service under the
health care law? We’ll talk with Molly Rideout, an assistant professor of
pediatrics at the UVM College of Medicine and a pediatrician at Vermont
Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care, and Vicki Rich, of Lactation
and Birthing Solutions in Lamoille County. We’ll also hear from Judy Gutowski, who’s part of a
national effort to get lactation consultants licensed so they can bill
insurance companies.
Post your questions or
comments about breastfeeding and lactation consultants here or email them to vermontedition@vpr.net.
Also in the program, Tom
Cheek, a broadcaster with strong ties to Vermont, was selected as the Ford C. Frick Award Winner for
baseball broadcasting. He will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in July. We’ll look at his background, character and
his accomplishments.