Nearly 4% of Pennsylvania infants unnecessarily develop life-long allergies to peanuts and eggs, costing each family over $2,000 annually in direct medical expenses, and hurting Pennsylvania egg producers.
 
These allergies are preventable. Regularly adding peanut and well-cooked egg proteins to an infant’s diet between 6 months and 12 months of age has been proven in large clinical studies to prevent over 80% of peanut and egg allergy. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that by age 6 months, all infants should be given both peanut and well-cooked egg protein containing products until they reach the age of 1 year.
 
This legislation would require all health insurance plans subject to requirements under Pennsylvania law, including Medicaid, to provide coverage, at no cost when prescribed to infants, of at least 1 option of an early peanut introduction dietary supplement and at least 1 option of an early egg introduction dietary supplement.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that would reduce future costs from treatment of food allergy reactions, support Pennsylvania’s egg producers, and improve childhood health outcomes.
 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0679: P.L.682, No.284