Despite clear recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that infants receive exclusive breast milk for the first six months of life, families in Connecticut continue to face unnecessary—and unacceptable—barriers to achieving these health goals.
In a deeply concerning move, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)—Connecticut’s largest health insurer—has recently eliminated all coverage for in-person lactation care. This decision leaves over one million people in our state without access to a vital form of preventative healthcare, unless they can afford to pay out of pocket.
Every single day, families are forced to choose between receiving essential care and staying within budget. And the care they’re skipping? Support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)—the gold standard in infant feeding expertise.
Meanwhile, other major insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare have successfully contracted with local IBCLCs to ensure their members have access to skilled lactation support. Blue Cross Blue Shield has not.
We believe this must change.
If you support:
- Women’s health
- Infant well-being
- Preventative medicine
- Equitable healthcare access
…then we urge you to sign this petition.
Let’s tell Blue Cross Blue Shield: In-person lactation care is not optional. It’s essential.
Together, we can demand that BCBS reinstate coverage for in-person IBCLC care—and ensure that all families in Connecticut can access the support they need to thrive.