Support help for newborn victims of the opioid crisis

The opioid crisis is decimating communities around the country. Deaths from overdoses continue to skyrocket. And, we just learned the crisis is affecting a whole new generation. Newborns suffering from opioid withdrawal at birth may be higher than previously estimated, according to a new study.

More than 3,700 pregnant women and new mothers in Missouri were hospitalized for opioid abuse over 24 months, putting Missouri babies at risk.

Missouri Medicaid pays for 83 percent of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) deliveries, nearly twice the rate of non-NAS deliveries. It's expensive. Babies born suffering from opioids stay an average of 10 days longer in the hospital than other babies, costing an average of $33,000 in care compared to $5,000 for healthy babies.

The only way to reduce the number of babies born with opioid withdrawal or opioid-related complications is to reduce opioid use during pregnancy. Medicaid can play an important role for pregnant women and care after delivery, but we need to make changes to the program to ensure people get the assistance they need. Sign the petition to support more substance abuse programs for Missourians in need.