A bipartisan proposal called Connie’s Bill seeks to establish a pilot program providing medically necessary infant formula to prevent future shortages and contamination.
The legislation addresses critical vulnerabilities in the food supply chain that have left infants without essential nutrition during previous nationwide shortages. By creating a dedicated system for medically necessary formula, the bill aims to ensure that the most vulnerable infants have reliable access to safe products.
Rep. Gary Peters sponsored the bipartisan effort to curb these shortages. Laura Modi, the CEO and co-founder of the infant-formula company Bobbie, championed the bill. The proposal focuses on creating a safety net to avoid the contamination incidents and supply gaps that have previously impacted U.S. families.
Reports on the current legislative status of the bill vary. Some reports indicate the bill is slated for introduction in Congress, while other reporting from April 29, 2026, said the bipartisan bill had passed [2].
Modi has been a vocal advocate for the measure. Her company's initiative, Bobbie for Change, maintains a five-year partnership [3] with the nonprofit organization The Breasties to support families and lobby for systemic changes in how infant nutrition is managed in the U.S.
The pilot program would specifically target formula that is medically necessary, meaning it is required for infants who cannot tolerate standard formulas due to allergies, or other health conditions. This targeted approach seeks to stabilize the supply of specialized products that are often the first to disappear during broader market shortages.
“Connie’s Bill aims to prevent future formula shortages and contamination.”
The introduction of Connie’s Bill signals a shift toward treating specialized infant formula as a critical medical necessity rather than a standard consumer commodity. If implemented, the pilot program could create a strategic reserve or a prioritized distribution channel, reducing the reliance on a volatile commercial market for infants with life-threatening allergies or metabolic disorders.
