Bill aims to reduce prenatal opioid abuse and neonatal abstinence syndrome
WASHINGTON, September 9, 2015 - Today, the National Coalition for Infant Health (NCfIH) and the Alliance for Patient Access made the following statement regarding the passage of by the House of H.R. 1462 - Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015. The bill, championed by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), will require federal and state health care agencies to work together closely to monitor and reduce opioid abuse cases and the subsequent problems that infants face when they have been exposed to these addictive drugs during gestation.
STATEMENT FROM MITCHELL GOLDSTEIN, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR INFANT HEALTH:
"Our nation's infants are a vulnerable population, which means we must do everything we can to protect them from preventable health complications, such as neonatal abstinence syndrome. We would hope that no child was ever born exposed or addicted to opioids, but when it happens, we must address this issue in a responsible manner. As health care providers and patient advocates for our nation's infants, we are thankful for Rep. Clark's efforts to protect mothers and babies."
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