House holds hearing on AHA-supported bill to address newborn opioid dependency

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee today held a hearing on the AHA-supported Protecting Our Infants Act (S.799/H.R. 1462). The bipartisan legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy and recommendations to decrease the number of infants suffering from opioid dependency, and would encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with states to improve their public health response to this epidemic. “Research has shown the incidence of infants born dependent on opioids has increased at least 300% over the past 15 years,” AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack said in a recent letter of support for the bill. “Your legislation is a positive step toward addressing this critical public health issue.” The House bill was introduced by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and has 78 co-sponsors. The Senate companion bill was introduced by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and has 15 cosponsors.