Political Quotes

“More than $1 billion a year in Federal funds is saved by WIC infant formula cost containment allowing over 1.6 million more women, infants and children to receive WIC benefits than would otherwise have been the case. One of the most important factors in the success of the WIC cost containment is competition. Until recently there were four infant formula manufacturers in the United States. In January, one of the four, Wyeth Laboratories announced its withdrawal from the domestic market. Now, alarmingly, a move is beginning among States to alter their competitive bidding procedures in a way that restricts competition and makes it impossible for Carnation to compete. If this third small company, Carnation, can't compete, it ultimately could follow Wyeth out of the market. If that occurs, only the two largest manufacturers, Ross and Mead Johnson will remain, and the prospects for sustaining large savings will be bleak. Without a third company seeking to increase market share by winning WIC contracts, cost containment is not sustainable.”