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Turner and the Brigid’s Path staff, along with Ashley Evans (right of Turner), after passage of Turner’s CRIB Act in October 2018.
Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement after the White House announced one of its guests is Ashley Evans:
“I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley Evans and hearing her story of recovery a few months ago. After suffering a relapse during her pregnancy, Ashley has worked with Brigid’s Path to treat her child and herself. Brigid’s Path provides specialized, family-based treatment options for babies suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). In October, a bill I pushed for years was signed into law that will help facilities like Brigid’s Path to expand access. Now that it’s been passed, I hope Ohio will quickly opt into it to bring additional funding to Brigid’s Path and facilities like it in our state. I commend Ashley on her success in recovery. I am glad that more moms like Ashley and their children will be able to receive the specialized treatment they need as a result of this legislation.”
Background on Ashley Evans, provided by the White House:
Ashley Evans has struggled with opioid and substance abuse for much of her life. In 2017, she was pregnant and suffered a relapse. Her recovery began with the birth of her daughter along with the help of Brigid’s Path, a medical care facility in Kettering, Ohio. Ashley has persevered and overcome many obstacles to maintain her sobriety. She is passionate about sharing her story of hope. On February 9, 2019, Ashley will celebrate 1 year and 1 month in recovery and on February 15, 2019, she will be reunited with her daughter full-time.
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Background on the CRIB Act:
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a withdrawal condition in newborns that can occur when opioids and other substances are used during the mother’s pregnancy. NAS-afflicted newborns need specialized medical care and treatment. Given the bright lights, loud noises, and proximity to other babies, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is not always the most ideal place for opioid-exposed newborns in withdrawal with no additional complicating health conditions. Additionally, the costs of treating NAS – most of which are currently paid by Medicaid – can be more than five times the cost of treating other newborns.
An alternative setting to the NICU, residential pediatric recovery facilities like Brigid’s Path offer specialized care and an environment conducive to treating newborns with NAS, as well as counseling for mothers and families that emphasizes family bonding. Before the CRIB Act, however, residential pediatric recovery facilities were often forced to navigate a sea of red tape and regulatory hurdles to be able to secure reimbursement from Medicaid when they treat infants suffering from NAS.
The CRIB Act solved this problem by recognizing existing residential pediatric recovery facilities, and new ones that may arise in the future, as certified providers under Medicaid. It permits Medicaid-eligible mothers and babies to take advantage of the specialized recovery options available through residential pediatric recovery facilities in addition to more traditional hospital settings. This arrangement allows residential pediatric recovery facilities to bill Medicaid for the services they offer, giving State Medicaid programs the flexibility to partner with these facilities should they so choose. The CRIB Act also makes sure that vulnerable, disadvantaged families with lower- and moderate-incomes are not denied access to this crucial medical care. The CRIB Act is yet another resource in the ongoing fight against heroin and prescription opioid abuse across the country and throughout Montgomery, Greene, and Fayette counties in Ohio’s 10th Congressional district.
CRIB Act Timeline:
- May 25, 2016: Turner introduced the CRIB Act during 114th Congress to help expand access to specialized treatment and recovery options for infants suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a withdrawal condition in newborns often caused by use of opioids and other addictive substances in pregnant women.
- May 17, 2017: Turner re-introduced the CRIB Act with Congressman Evan Jenkins (WV-03) for the 115th Congress.
- January 10, 2018: TREAT Act and CRIB Act included in House of Representatives’ Bipartisan Heroin Task Force Legislative Agenda.
- March 2, 2018: Turner joined Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in touring and participating in a roundtable discussion at Brigid’s Path.
- June 6, 2018: Turner re-introduced amended version of the CRIB Act, along with Rep. Jenkins, after collaboration with Senate colleagues.
- September 17, 2018: Turner’s modified CRIB Act passes the Senate as part of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a larger legislative package to combat the opioid epidemic.
- September 28, 2018: CRIB Act passes the House as part of H.R 6.
- October 24, 2018: CRIB Act signed into law as part of H.R. 6.
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