Capito Introduces Bill to Study Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is sponsoring a federal bill to examine the rising rate and treatment costs of neonatal abstinence syndrome or NAS.

Senator Capito introduced the bi-partisan bill Friday, along with two other U.S. senators.

According to a news release, The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act will expand research into NAS and how to care for affected infants. It will also provide ways to study the prevalence of the syndrome.

Newborns with NAS require specialized care that can result in longer hospital stays and increased costs. A recent study found these costs can be more than five times the cost of caring for other newborns.