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Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 8, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Health and Health Care Criminal Justice

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1462 the ``Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015.'' This legislation would address the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy for one of the harmful outcome of our nation's opioid epidemic. Neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, occurs in newborns who were exposed to opioids, including pain killers, while in their mother's womb. NAS is associated with negative health outcomes like preterm births and low birthweight.

I'm saddened to say that the opioid epidemic has resulted in a steep increase in the occurrence of NAS over the past decade. H.R. 1462 would require HHS to develop recommendations for the treatment and prevention of prenatal opiate abuse and neonatal abstinence syndrome. It would also require the collection of data to better monitor the problem.

I want to thank Representative Katherine Clark for her leadership on this issue and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this necessary legislation.

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