U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito introduced a federal bill Friday with bipartisan backing that would help newborns suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome have access to quality care.
The Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies Act, also known as CRIB, would recognize residential pediatric recovery facilities as providers under Medicaid.
This means the families whose newborns are born with NAS will be able to bill Medicaid for the services offered.
According to a news release from Senator Capito’s office, the bill would not cost additional dollars but would allow babies to receive quality treatment in the best environment.
Newborns with NAS often require specialized care like longer hospital stays at the NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit. Treatment can cost five times more than the cost of treating other newborns.
CRIB would expand access to allow alternative settings to the NICU.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.