# WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023

This bill makes information about infant formula purchases through the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) publicly available online. Right now, when states buy infant formula for low-income families through WIC, the details about those purchases—like what companies are bidding, when bids are due, and how to submit offers—are scattered across different state websites or not easily accessible. This bill requires the federal government to create a centralized, public database where anyone can see all the infant formula bid solicitations from every state in one place.

Here's what would actually happen: When a state agency puts out a call for infant formula bids, they have to tell the federal Department of Agriculture about it within five business days. The USDA then publishes that information publicly within five days after that. The public information includes the title of the bid, the website link where companies can submit bids, contact information for the state agency, and the deadline for bidding. This means formula manufacturers, advocacy groups, researchers, and concerned citizens could track which companies are winning contracts, how much they're charging, and what's happening with the program across the country.

The practical impact is mainly transparency. Parents and advocates would be able to see how WIC formula procurement works, potentially spotting patterns or problems. Companies bidding on contracts would have better visibility into what other states are doing. Researchers could study whether certain companies consistently win bids or if prices vary significantly by state. The bill doesn't change what formula is available or how much families get—it just pulls back the curtain on a process that currently happens mostly behind the scenes.

WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023

McBath, Lucy

WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make available online certain information about solicitations for infant formula bids under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under current law, state agencies must control infant formula costs in the WIC program through competitive bidding for infant formula rebate contracts. The bill requires state WIC agencies to provide USDA with a description of open solicitations for these competitive bids that includes the title of the solicitation, the state agency administering the solicitation, and other relevant information for the USDA to publish online.