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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Human milk banks would be created and regulated to help nourish premature babies under legislation introduced by a member of the Michigan House's Democratic minority.
Rep. Erika Geiss of Taylor unveiled her legislation last week to set standards for human milk banks in Michigan.
"Multiple studies show that feeding breast milk to premature infants, whether from their mother or another source, has significant short- and long-term benefits," Geiss said at a news conference Thursday. "Many mothers are unaware that donated breast milk is an option. I introduced this bill to help premature babies recover and also raise awareness of this critical issue."
Michigan's infant mortality rate is among the highest in the nation at 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to Geiss. In urban areas such as Detroit and Saginaw, infant mortality rates are as high as 15.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
"I'm deeply concerned by the fact that some Michigan cities have infant mortality rates on par with Third World nations," said state Sen. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, who introduced companion legislation. "Just as members of a community donate to a food pantry to help those in need, mothers have historically been able to donate milk so that at-risk babies can have a better chance at a full, healthy life."
Geiss said her legislation follows a 2011 call to action by the U.S. Attorney General's Office. Among its recommendations was to "identify and address obstacles to greater availability of safe banked donor milk for fragile infants."
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The measures are House Bill 4206 and Senate Bill 143.
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