U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on Nov. 20 unveiled bipartisan legislation that would authorize a study on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a group of symptoms that occurs when a newborn baby withdraws from drugs or medicines they were exposed to during pregnancy.
“As the opioid and drug epidemics spread through communities in central Washington and across the country, there is very little being done to address its impacts on the next generation,” Rep. Newhouse said. “NAS is a critical condition that puts newborns in a situation they had no control over, with serious, lasting implications threatening their health early on.
“This legislation,” said the congressman, “directs federal resources to expand our understanding of NAS, close gaps in research and data on how it affects babies, and ensure we are equipped to treat this condition through our federal healthcare system.”
Rep. Newhouse sponsored the Maddie’s Infant Recovery and Children’s Legislative Emergency (MIRACLE) Act of 2025, H.R. 6220, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) to direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on NAS prevalence, health outcomes, and service gaps.
The report would identify barriers to data collection and accuracy at the state level, and evaluate care models at Pediatric Transitional Care Facilities, which provide wraparound care for infants and parents at far less Medicaid cost than the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Newhouse’s office.
“As a pediatrician, I’ve seen the discomfort of newborns withdrawing from narcotic exposure, and as the incidence of NAS rises, we need more research into long term impacts,” said Rep. Schrier. “I’m proud to work with my Washington delegation colleague, Congressman Newhouse, to introduce this legislation that will further our understanding of [NAS] and potential treatment options for impacted newborns.”
The legislation is supported by Maddie’s Place, a nonprofit recovery nursery in Spokane, Wash.