From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
A message from Stacey, a MomsRising member from Overland Park, Kansas:
“WIC was incredibly helpful during my pregnancy and first year of our son’s life. I ate better quality food, and the breastfeeding and baby care classes helped me prepare for being a mom. Our son was born with a congenital brain malformation, and knowing I’d done everything I could to make him healthy during pregnancy helped me weather the depression and stress after his diagnosis. Everyone is more balanced and happier when we eat well.”
Millions of moms and babies, like Stacey, are boosted by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) each month. Let’s build on this success and make sure more moms and babies who are eligible for WIC have access to this important nutrition program.
Go to https://action.momsrising.org/sign/WICAct to ADD YOUR SIGNATURE to our letter to the U.S. Congress now telling them to pass the WIC Act this year!!
WIC is a public health nutrition program under the USDA providing nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for low-income women who are pregnant or postpartum, and infants and children up to the age of 5. Approximately 6.9 million women, infants, and children rely on WIC each month, including more than half of all infants born in the U.S. [1,2]
But still there has been a steady decline in WIC participation over the years that could leave to negative health impacts for both moms and kids. This decline is not because need no longer exists, instead it is due to shortfalls in the program. In fact, in 2014 (the year we have the most recent data), WIC served an estimated 54.8% of eligible women, infants, and children, down from 59.3% in the prior year. [2] This drop in coverage is problematic as it deprives millions of low-income children of benefits that are important to their healthy growth and development. Good nutrition is important in all stages of life, but particularly so in the earliest years, when it serves as a critical building block for a healthy future.
This is why we were so excited to hear that U.S. Senators Bob Casey (PA) and Susan Collins (ME) have introduced the bi-partisan WIC Act to help address the shortfalls in the program and make sure that more eligible moms and kids are able to access WIC.
The WIC Act strengthens WIC in the following ways:
- Extends eligibility for children up to the age of six
- Permits states to certify infants for two years instead of one.
- Permits states to extend eligibility for breastfeeding and postpartum mothers until two years. [4]
By expanding WIC eligibility for at-risk infants, children, and new moms, the WIC Act will lead to improved maternal and child health outcomes and help to address nutrition gaps during critical period of the lifespan. By closing the “WIC gap”, nearly 600,000 children nationwide will maintain access to WIC’s nutrition services ensuring they receive a strong, healthy nutritional foundation. [5] It truly is a wise investment!
Take action NOW! Add your name to our letter supporting the WIC Act!
Congress is starting to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act (where funding and changes to WIC are determined), making this bill even more important. After you sign our letter, please make sure to forward this email to your friends and family and post our action link to Twitter and Facebook.
Together we can create a brighter future for moms and babies.
P.S. Do you have an experience with WIC that you would be willing to share? Go here and share your thoughts with us (You can remain anonymous).
P.P.S Read MomsRising’s statement supporting the introduction of the WIC Act.
[1] FRAC. “WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)” [2] National WIC Association. “NWA Resources.” [3] FRAC. “Decline in WIC Participation Has Negative Health Implications for Women and Children.” October 3, 2017. [4] National WIC Association. “National WIC Association Applauds Bipartisan Bill Introducing Common-Sense WIC Reforms.” August 2, 2019. [5] Senator Bob Casey. “Casey, Collins Introduce Bill to Expand Nutrition Assistance for Children and Mothers.” August 2, 2019.
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