Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4351, the Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act.

Each year, there are over 2 million cases of people being exposed to poison in the United States. There are many substances implicated in poison exposures, from pain medications to cleaning substances to cosmetics and personal care products.

The incidence of poison exposure is highest in children under the age of 6, but poisoning affects all age groups, from infants to seniors.

This is why Congress funds poison control centers to serve all 50 States and U.S. territories, as well as the National Poison Help Line that connects callers with the poison control center serving their area. These centers help with poison emergencies and provide information to prevent poisonings. They serve as critical lifelines that provide all Americans with expert advice 24/7, 365 days a year, at no cost.

Over 70 percent of callers to poison control centers get the help they need over the phone and do not need to go to a hospital. Even healthcare professionals utilize poison control centers in emergencies.

The Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act will reauthorize poison control programs, including the National Poison Hotline, programs to raise awareness of poison control centers, and direct funding for those centers. These important programs are essential to getting people the help they need in poison emergencies.

I thank Representatives Chavez-DeRemer, Davis, Joyce, and Cherfilus- McCormick for their work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, obviously, it is important for us to reauthorize these poison control programs and the centers. I urge my colleagues to support this on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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