WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 4502, which includes the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for the Fiscal Year 2022. The amendment would increase funding for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) research by $1 million at the Centers for Disease Control, bringing the total amount of funding to $3.25 million. Congresswoman Miller's amendment passed unanimously in the House of Representatives.

West Virginia has one of the highest rates of NAS, the withdrawal syndrome of infants who are exposed to opioids and other addictive drugs while inside the womb. For every 1,000 babies born in the state, 50 are born exposed to drugs.

"The devastating effects of the opioid epidemic have touched far too many communities and families in West Virginia," said Congresswoman Miller. "Sadly, this includes our children who are born suffering from the second-generation impacts of addiction. As this crisis rages on, it is imperative that resources dedicated to addressing NAS are included in our federal budget. By increasing the amount of research funding, my amendment brings us one step closer to eliminating this syndrome and winning our fight against drugs."

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