WASHINGTON – West Virginia has become the first state to receive federal funding to treat babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va.
Through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal policy allows the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services to fund centers like Lily's Place, where first lady Melania Trump visited in October to meet staff and newborn patients face to face.
"This designation will allow us to continue to offer compassionate care to newborns in need," Rebecca Crowder, executive director of Lily's Place, said in the release. "Now, I hope Congress will pass the (Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies) Act to provide a permanent fix to this issue and allow even more centers like Lily's Place to open nationwide."
Having co-sponsored the CRIB Act with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
R-W.Va., Jenkins said he will be pushing both chambers of Congress to adopt the legislation so centers in every state can benefit from the funding.