CareSource Supports The Milk Bank with $4,500 Donation Amid Formula Shortage

 CareSource, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan, announced today a $4,500 donation to The Milk Bank to sponsor 1,000 ounces of human milk as part of the organization’s Give an Ounce campaign. The gift is part of CareSource’s larger effort to increase access to adequate infant nutrition while the country is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of infant formula.

“CareSource recognizes the importance of safe, affordable and accessible nutrition for infants and members and wants to help,” said Dr. Cameual Wright, MD, VP, market chief medical officer of CareSource Indiana. “Leveraging our existing partnership with The Milk Bank can support families navigating this crisis.”

The Milk Bank can provide up to 40 ounces of donor milk without a prescription. Requests for donor milk have increased 89% since May 1st and requests for financial assistance to obtain donor milk have increased 200%.

“The Milk Bank’s long-term strategy in addressing this unprecedented shortage is to continue to advance breastfeeding as a primary pillar of infant health,” said Sarah Long, clinical director of The Milk Bank. “However, we must also provide immediate relief for struggling families who may need support in accessing a safe feeding option for their infants. The continued support CareSource has provided will make more milk available to mothers and families in critical need.”

To discuss your family’s needs, call The Milk Bank at 317-536-1670 or complete the application online at themilkbank.org/recipient-app.

CareSource is a nonprofit, nationally recognized managed care organization with over 2 million members. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio since its founding in 1989, CareSource administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. The organization offers health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and dual-eligible programs. Through its network of health plans, CareSource serves members in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. The company is leading the way in serving populations with complex needs and extended its presence into 12 additional states with the acquisition of The Columbus Organization, a trusted partner to health care agencies and provider organizations in improving coordination and support for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges through its staffing, quality improvement and care coordination services. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address the social determinants of health, health equity, prevention and access to care.

For more, visit www.caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook. 

The Milk Bank is a non-profit tissue bank dispensing more than 400,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the region every year. The Milk Bank improves health outcomes for premature and ill infants, foster better health for children and decreases health care expenditures. The Milk Bank follows the strictest safety standards informed by the CDC and FDA and is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). Visit https://www.themilkbank.org/ to learn more.