Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9007
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T10:23:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9007: Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act
Purpose
The legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a temporary pilot program that offers financial help to certain parents or guardians for buying infant formula or donor milk when breastfeeding is not possible due to medical reasons or other specified circumstances.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Secretary must set up a 3-year pilot program, known as the Medically Necessary Infant Formula Pilot Program, within one year of the bill becoming law.
- Financial Assistance Options: Assistance may be provided through vouchers, direct reimbursements for purchases, or grants to local government or nonprofit groups that serve eligible families.
- Education and Outreach: The Secretary must work with health care providers to make sure families know about the program and how to access it.
- Evaluation and Reporting: Annual reviews will track how many people benefit and how much formula or milk is distributed; reports on these findings must be sent to Congress each year.
- Eligibility Criteria: Individuals qualify if they are not part of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, are parents or guardians of a child under one year old (or older if medically needed), and face barriers such as a diagnosed medical condition preventing breastfeeding, adoption, surrogacy, or infant issues like feeding tubes, digestive problems, allergies, or latching difficulties.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including "covered infant formula" as products meeting federal safety standards, "donor milk" as pasteurized human milk from approved banks, and "medical professional" as doctors or nurse practitioners.
- Funding and Duration: Up to $15 million is authorized each year from fiscal years 2027 through 2031; the program ends three years after the law takes effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, standalone federal pilot program for infant formula support. It does not amend or replace existing nutrition programs like WIC but creates an additional option for people who do not qualify for those programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services would be responsible for running the program, handling applications, distributing funds, and preparing annual reports, which could require new administrative resources.
- On Citizens: Eligible parents or guardians facing medical barriers to breastfeeding or caring for infants with special needs could receive help buying formula or donor milk, potentially improving access for families not covered by other aid.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Parents and legal guardians of infants under one year old who meet the medical or situational eligibility rules.
- The Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the program.
- Health care providers involved in diagnosing conditions or sharing program information.
- Donor human milk banks that supply approved milk.
- Local government and nonprofit organizations that may receive grants to assist families.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill operates within the existing authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to manage health-related assistance programs. It includes standard sunset and reporting requirements to limit its duration and ensure oversight. No constitutional concerns are addressed in the text, and the measure focuses on expanding targeted support for infant nutrition needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (5 pages)