Washington, DC – Last night, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39) voted in support of the Access to Baby Formula Act (H.R. 7791). Rep. Kim is a cosponsor of this bill.
The Access to Baby Formula Act would ensure that Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) recipients can access baby formula and that manufacturers are evaluating how they would maintain access to formula in the event of another shortage and emergency.
“The FDA’s failure to address the baby formula shortage hurting families and endangering babies makes clear that more federal spending and more government are not how we solve this crisis. We need practical solutions that ensure parents can access quality formula when they need it,” said Kim. “As one of the many moms who had to rely on baby formula to feed my kids, and a new grandmother to two babies, my heart breaks for my daughters and all parents struggling to find baby formula during this crisis. I am proud to support the Access to Baby Formula Act, but there is more to be done. I’ll keep fighting to promote competition and expand our supply chains so this shortage doesn’t happen again.”
The Access to Baby Formula Act would:
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Increase information sharing and cooperation on formula supply chain changes between USDA, HHS, and states;
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Require manufacturers who contract with WIC to submit a plan with their bids that details how they will address an emergency or disruption without impacting WIC recipients; and,
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Ensure WIC recipients can use emergency waivers during supply chain disruptions.
Rep. Kim also voted to redirect existing funding from other accounts and transferred for the FDA’s use. The Biden Administration is sitting on a billion dollars that the Secretary of Agriculture could use to address supply chain issues. The FDA just received a $102 million budget increase, including an $11 million increase specifically for maternal and infant health and nutrition, two months ago.
