Ask Your Washington State Legislators to Exempt Breast Pumps and Supplies from Sales Tax (v1 - new mothers)

In Washington and most other states, mothers that pump are required to pay sales tax when they buy their equipment, while the state appropriately exempts infant formula. States should also offer full sales tax exemptions for breast pumps and supplies to ensure tax parity between formula and breastfeeding supplies. Moms shouldn't have to pay the government to feed their babies, no matter how they choose to do it.
 
Breast pumps are basic necessities for nursing mothers, especially for working moms that have returned to the workforce and have chosen to breastfeed beyond the initial maternity leave period (or those who have little or no maternity leave), or for a variety of medical reasons (such as when infants are premature and/or unable to latch). Insurance coverage doesn't solve the problem — many women have to buy pumps outside of insurance, out of pocket, and are subject to tax. For moms covered by insurance, the tax cost still impacts them. The sales tax increases the cost to supply pumps on the insurance market, leaving moms with fewer choices and encouraging them to use formula instead, despite scientific evidence that breastfeeding fosters infant and maternal health.
 
Eliminating  this  tax  is  one  step  states  can  take  to  improve  access  to  breastfeeding  for  women  of  all  socioeconomic  statuses. Providing a tax exemption for pumps and supplies is an option that’s both simple and cost-effective.
 
A pre-written message will come up once you’ve entered your ZIP code; please be sure to edit the segment in brackets in the second sentence that discusses your particular need for a breast pump.  You are encouraged to edit to add any other information about your personal experience, as well.