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Jenkins Leads Way on Passage of Healthy Babies Act

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The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act sponsored by U.S. Congressman Evan Jenkins is headed to President Obama’s desk.

The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act is included in a package of bills addressing the opioid crisis, known as the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act. The House of Representatives passed this comprehensive plan last week, and on Wednesday, it passed out of the U.S. Senate.

The NAS Healthy Babies Act would help to create facilities like Lily’s Place in Huntington, which helps care for babies born addicted to drugs. 

“There is nothing more important than trying to give a newborn baby the best possible chance for a healthy start in life,” Jenkins said.

According to Jenkins, every 25 minutes a baby is born with Neonatal Abstinence syndrome, meaning they were exposed to drugs during pregnancy.

Appalachia Helth News

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.