In POTTSTOWN, Pa., the enactment of Owen’s Law is set to bring relief to families grappling with the challenges of ensuring vital breast milk for medically fragile infants. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration declared that the law, effective this week, will provide Medicaid coverage for donated breast milk, a significant development for mothers like Kristin McCann of Pottstown, who continues to donate in memory of her late son, Connor.
Kristin McCann, who lost her son Connor at 18 weeks gestation in April 2019, has been actively contributing to this cause. Following the births of her subsequent children, Noah and Ava, McCann noticed an excess of frozen breast milk in her supply. Inspired to make a difference, she began donating the surplus last April, reaching out to the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank to initiate the donor process.
Denise O’Connor, the executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Mother’s Milk Bank, expressed gratitude for donors like McCann, emphasizing that over 300 carefully screened donors contribute to providing milk to thousands of babies in homes and 60 hospitals across the East Coast, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The donated milk undergoes rigorous testing, bottling, and pasteurization before distribution, primarily benefiting infants in neonatal intensive care units with conditions such as prematurity or specific cardiac and gastrointestinal issues.
O’Connor acknowledged the increased demand anticipated after the Shapiro administration’s recent announcement. The administration mandated Medicaid coverage for donor milk for infants with specific medical conditions, a move that will expand access to donated breast milk for those in need.
McCann, reflecting on her efforts, stated that her late son Connor would be proud of the positive impact their family is making in helping numerous others. The Medicaid mandate marks a crucial step in ensuring broader accessibility to donated breast milk, offering hope and support to families with medically fragile infants.