Herald Dispatch - "Obama Signs Bill Sponsored by US Rep. Evan Jenkins"

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A bill championed by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., that will improve care for neonatal abstinence syndrome babies has been signed into law.

The Protecting Our Infants Act will build on best practices from doctors and nurses in West Virginia and across the country in treating babies with NAS, exposure to drugs while in the womb.

"Since coming to Congress, I have made it my mission to fight for babies impacted by the drug epidemic," Jenkins said in a press release Monday. "Going through withdrawal from heroin and other opioids is a horrific way to start one's life, but that's the reality for far too many newborns in West Virginia. The Protecting Our Infants Act becoming law means we will improve treatment for NAS babies and increase our understanding of opioid exposure during pregnancy."

Rep. Jenkins was a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, which will help advance the research needed to develop the absolute best care available for babies with NAS.

"Securing passage of the Protecting Our Infants Act was just the first step. As this bill is implemented and new treatment models are used, my legislation, the Cradle Act, will be even more important to pass. Congress and the states must continue to work together to solve our nation's most dire problems, including the drug epidemic. I will continue to fight for West Virginia's most vulnerable, our babies, and making sure legislation like the Protecting Our Infants Act becomes law," Rep. Jenkins said.

Rebecca Crowder, executive director of Lily's Place, said this law will improve care for mothers and babies alike.

"The number of babies born with prenatal exposure to drugs is growing at a rapid rate across the nation," Crowder said in the release. "The Protecting Our Infants Act will create positive outcomes for the mother and child, focusing on prevention as well as the treatment of babies already born affected. West Virginia is making great strides in treatment, care for babies born prenatally exposed to drugs, and much-needed services for families. Congressman Jenkins has led the charge in making all of this possible in West Virginia, and now we have the opportunity to become a model for other states."

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