U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV) introduced a bill on April 18 to support babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) from drug exposure by addressing gaps in federal programs.
“Suffering through withdrawal from exposure to drugs such as heroin and other opioids is a horrific way to start one’s life, but tragically that’s still the reality for too many newborns in West Virginia,” Rep. Jenkins said in announcing the introduction of the Protecting NAS Babies Act, H.R. 5562.
The measure, which has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy to implement recommendations to improve NAS care.
An October 2017 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) take action on its report entitled, ‘‘Protecting Our Infants Act: Final Strategy.”
“This report included a number of best practices that, when implemented, will increase access to care and help these newborns heal,” Rep. Jenkins said. The report also promoted creating evidence-based protocols for the identification and treatment of newborns afflicted by NAS, the congressman’s office said.
“Sadly, these strategies and practices have sat at HHS with no action taken to implement them,” Jenkins said.
The GAO study was required by legislation introduced by Rep. Jenkins, the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act, also known as the NAS Healthy Babies Act, which was successfully included in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) that was signed into law in 2016.
“Places in West Virginia like Lily’s Place and Cabell Huntington Hospital are leading the way with cutting-edge care, and we must make sure that all healthcare facilities are using the most updated and appropriate care methods,” Rep. Jenkins said.
H.R. 5562 calls for HHS to include a timeline for implementing recommendations from the report and also the dissemination of information to state health agencies on best practices and available resources and data regarding implementing the recommendations.
A 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which was based on data from 28 states, found the number of NAS cases increased 300 percent between 1999 and 2013, according to the text of H.R. 5562. Symptoms of NAS can include loud crying, vomiting, poor feeding and respiratory distress.
“I hope Congress will act quickly to pass my legislation to implement these best practices and give more children the best chance for a healthy start in life,” Rep. Jenkins said.