The bill extends WIC eligibility for new moms, increasing postpartum period support from 6 to 24 months and lengthening breastfeeding assistance from 1 to 24 months. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to submit a report to Congress within 2 years, evaluating the impact of these changes on maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, and family experiences under the program.
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
This bill extends the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months).
The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the WIC program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
