WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today passed the Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that would help address the alarming rise of opioid abuse among pregnant women and its effect on newborn babies.

“Maine’s opioid epidemic doesn’t just affect those struggling with addiction. It hurts parents, siblings, friends, and even newborn babies,” Senator King said. “By developing an improved strategy to prevent opioid abuse and provide more comprehensive treatment, we can help mothers struggling with addictions and curb the disturbing rise of infants suffering from withdrawal.”

According to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, there have been 995 infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome after being exposed to opioids while in the womb. From 2010 to 2014, the number of affected infants grew from 572 to 961, an increase of 68 percent. Additionally, the number of individuals seeking treatment for opiate abuse in Maine has increased from 1,115 in 2010 to 3,463 in 2014. In 2014, almost three percent of all adult women admitted to substance abuse treatment were pregnant.

The Protecting Our Infants Act would:

• Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a departmental review to identify gaps in research and any duplication, overlap or gaps in prevention and treatment programs related to prenatal opioid abuse and infants born with opioid withdrawal
• Require HHS to study and develop recommendations for the prevention and treatment of prenatal opioid use disorders, soliciting input from nongovernmental entities representing patients, health care providers, and treatment facilities.
• Authorize the Centers for Disease Control to continue providing technical assistance to support states and tribes in collecting information on neonatal abstinence syndrome and implementing effective public health measures to address prenatal opioid use and neonatal abstinence syndrome. 

Researchers estimate that nationwide, one baby every hour is born dependent on drugs and suffering from withdrawal. Nationwide, there has been a staggering 300 percent increase in the number of infants diagnosed with newborn withdrawal since 2000.

The legislation was introduced by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.). It is also cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).

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