October 04, 2017

MANCHIN ENCOURAGES HHS TO FOLLOW GAO RECOMMENDATION AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ADDRESS NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement encouraging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement the recommendations outlined in a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on neonatal abstinence syndrome.

“Neonatal abstinence syndrome is one of the most tragic consequences of the opioid epidemic. These babies are born addicted to opioids through no fault of their own and we must do everything we can to help them and the healthcare providers that care for them, including Lily’s Place. Lily’s Place and West Virginia’s other neonatal healthcare providers have led the way in neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment and have provided critical care as these babies and their mothers struggle to recover. I urge HHS to follow GAO’s recommendation and immediately implement the agency’s strategies and recommendations to improve care for these babies.”

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