‘This is life sustaining,’ Georgia’s largest health plan supplier sends baby formula canisters statewide

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — From a shelf to households in want in Savannah, a brand-new cargo of baby formula may quickly be serving to households.

“This is life sustaining, it’s a life giving need,” stated Rena Douse, JC Lewis CEO.

Baby formula is a necessary for a lot of households however the ongoing nationwide scarcity is leaving dad and mom scouring empty cabinets. This week considered one of Georgia’s largest health plan suppliers is stocking cabinets at pediatric clinics throughout southwest georgia and in Savannah.

“They’re panicking, what should I do, my baby needs formula, my baby has GI issues,” Douse stated.

“Our goal is to use all of our resources to make sure there is a complete and equitable distribution where the need is great,” stated Dr. James Richardson, Chief Medical Director of Peach State Health Plan (PSHP) stated.

Peach State Health Plan delivered 24 canisters of baby formula to the JC Lewis Primary Health Care Pediatric Center Thursday, permitting the ability to raised serve their sufferers.

“All babies under 6 months of age, ¾’s of them are relying on formula so we understand that the impact is significant,” Richardson stated.

The group is delivering roughly 200 canisters of formula this week to its pediatric clinics however PSHP’s chief medical director says extra must be finished nationally to replenish provides.

“We understand that this is a small dent into a larger problem,” Richardson stated. “Our providers really are looking for more efforts and more resources to be able to supply formula to their babies.”

The Biden administration introduced plans on Wednesday to permit worldwide formula makers to proceed advertising their provides within the U.S. to keep away from one other scarcity sooner or later, which is one thing Douse says is essential.

Rena Douse: “We want to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the future or that there’s measures put in place to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Biden administration is persevering with efforts to replenish the baby formula provide nationally.