January 06, 2020

Manchin, Capito Announce $748K For Maternal Opioid Misuse Program

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced $748,650 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) for use of the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model.

“I am proud to see West Virginia based organizations participating in innovative ways to address the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our state. The effect of this epidemic on our communities is evident all across West Virginia. Witnessing expecting mothers and newborns within these communities struggling with substance abuse is especially heartbreaking. But I believe that as a state that has been hit hardest by the opioid crisis, we will lead the rest of the nation in combatting this epidemic through programs like this. I look forward to seeing the results of this demonstration model and the effectiveness in combatting this terrible crisis,” said Senator Manchin.

“It is a heartbreaking reality that many expectant mothers struggle with substance abuse,” Senator Capito said. “For the sake of these women and their babies, it is critical that we give them access to the comprehensive medical services they need both during and after pregnancy.  As someone who has visited babies suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome, I cannot thank our health professionals in West Virginia enough for their tireless dedication to helping the littlest among us. This funding will assist them in their critical work to help heal the wounds of the opioid crisis.”