Tag: Nurturing and Supporting Health Babies Act

Jenkins Leads Way on Passage of Healthy Babies Act

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

Bill Passed by U.S. House to Help Addicted Babies

Legislation designed to support babies born addicted to drugs passed unanimously in the United States House Of Representatives yesterday.

The bill is called The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act. It was introduced by West Virginia U.S. representative Evan Jenkins. It is designed specifically to help babies who have neonatal abstinence syndrome, also known as NAS.

NAS is prevalent in babies exposed to drugs during pregnancy.

The legislation covers three broad goals: comprehensive data collection of NAS rates across the country, identifying the best way to treat infants going through drug withdrawal and identifying legislative barriers that need to be broken down so babies can be most effectively treated.

The bill is one of 17 drug-related bills being discussed in the House this week. If passed by both the House and Senate, the bills should take effect sometime in late summer. 

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

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