Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015”.
Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015
AN ACT
To address problems related to prenatal opioid use.
Sec. 2 Addressing problems related to prenatal opioid use
Review of programs— The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) shall conduct a review of planning and coordination related to prenatal opioid use, including neonatal abstinence syndrome, within the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Strategy— In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a strategy to address gaps in research and gaps, overlap, and duplication among Federal programs, including those identified in findings made by reports of the Government Accountability Office. Such strategy shall address—
gaps in research, including with respect to—
the most appropriate treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorders;
the most appropriate treatment and management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure on children;
gaps, overlap, or duplication in—
substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women; and
treatment program options for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome;
gaps, overlap, or duplication in Federal efforts related to education about, and prevention of, neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
coordination of Federal efforts to address neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Report— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report concerning the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a) and the strategy developed under subsection (b).
Sec. 3 Developing recommendations for preventing and treating prenatal opioid use disorders
In general— The Secretary shall conduct a study and develop recommendations for preventing and treating prenatal opioid use disorders, including the effects of such disorders on infants. In carrying out this subsection the Secretary shall—
take into consideration—
the review and strategy conducted and developed under section 2; and
the lessons learned from previous opioid epidemics; and
solicit input from States, localities, and Federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), and nongovernmental entities, including organizations representing patients, health care providers, hospitals, other treatment facilities, and other entities, as appropriate.
Report— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make available on the appropriate Internet Website of the Department of Health and Human Services a report on the recommendations under subsection (a). Such report shall address each of the issues described in subsection (c).
Contents— The recommendations described in subsection (a) and the report under subsection (b) shall include—
a comprehensive assessment of existing research with respect to the prevention, identification, treatment, and long-term outcomes of neonatal abstinence syndrome, including the identification and treatment of pregnant women or women who may become pregnant who use opioids or have opioid use disorders;
an evaluation of—
the causes of, and risk factors for, opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age, including pregnant women;
the barriers to identifying and treating opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age, including pregnant and postpartum women and women with young children;
current practices in the health care system to respond to, and treat, pregnant women with opioid use disorders and infants affected by such disorders;
medically indicated uses of opioids during pregnancy;
access to treatment for opioid use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women; and
access to treatment for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
differences in prenatal opioid use and use disorders in pregnant women between demographic groups; and
recommendations on—
preventing, identifying, and treating the effects of prenatal opioid use on infants;
treating pregnant women who have opioid use disorders;
preventing opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age, including pregnant women, who may be at risk of developing opioid use disorders; and
reducing disparities in opioid use disorders among pregnant women.
Sec. 4 Improving data and the public health response
The Secretary may continue activities, as appropriate, related to—
providing technical assistance to support States and Federally recognized Indian Tribes in collecting information on neonatal abstinence syndrome through the utilization of existing surveillance systems and collaborating with States and Federally recognized Indian Tribes to improve the quality, consistency, and collection of such data; and
providing technical assistance to support States in implementing effective public health measures, such as disseminating information to educate the public, health care providers, and other stakeholders on prenatal opioid use and neonatal abstinence syndrome.