Washington state lawmakers introduce MIRACLE Act to tackle neonatal abstinence syndrome

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington State Representatives Dan Newhouse, Michael Baumgartner and Kim Schrier introduced the Maddie's Infant Recovery and Children's Legislative Emergency (MIRACLE) Act on Thursday to study Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

NAS is described as "a condition that affects newborns who receive opioids or addictive substances through the placenta during pregnancy."

"NAS is a critical condition that puts newborns in a situation they had no control over, with serious, lasting implications threatening their health early on," Representative Newhouse stated.

The legislation instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a national study on NAS, focusing on prevalence, health outcomes and service gaps. It also aims to identify barriers to data collection and evaluate care models at Pediatric Transitional Care Facilities.

"Every child in Eastern Washington deserves a healthy start, yet too many newborns—through no fault of their own—begin life in pain because of the opioid crisis," Representative Baumgartner said.

The MIRACLE Act is supported by Maddie’s Place, a nonprofit in Spokane, Washington. Shaun Cross, President of Maddie's Place, described the act as a vital step.

"The MIRACLE Act will give these infants and their struggling parents a voice by seeking the data we don't have," Cross said.