Recently, Elyssa Schmier VP of Government Relations for MomsRising hosted a roundtable with HHS Assistant Secretary of Health Admiral Rachel Levine to share baby formula shortage stories from families, dispel myths and misinformation, and educate families on guidance for how to safely feed your baby. 

She was joined by West Virginia MomsRising Member Breanna Dietrich and Elena Hung from Little Lobbyists. Breanna started a Facebook group that has allowed formula seeking parents in in her area connect with each other that quickly grew to over 1200 members. She shares the story of the difficulties she’s faced in finding and formula and being able to afford it since her WIC benefits cannot be used outside of her local stores. Elena Hung brings attention to the needs faced by families with medically complex and disabled infants and children that rely on specialty formulas for their nutritional needs.

Admiral Levine summarizes the steps that FDA has take in recent weeks to increase the availability of formula for families in the US. She goes on to explain the Nationwide WIC waiver, how Operation Fly Formula prioritized families in need of specialty formulas, and other resources available on the HHS Website.

You can find more information in our Formula Shortage Newsletter, including links to our toolkit and other resources.