INDIANAPOLIS— State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) took to the Indiana House floor today to speak on behalf of legislation that would help ensure that infants born dependent on drugs receive the medical treatment they need.
Senate Bill 186 was passed in the Indiana House today and now moves to the governor’s desk for his consideration.
“I think we all want to see children receive the medical treatment they need. However, the care of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is dependent on the accurate identification of the pregnant mother’s drug use,†said Riecken. “The process of identification begins in pregnancy with the mother. If she agrees, she and the infant would be screened throughout her prenatal visits and delivery. However, the mother always has a choice not to be screened.
“This bill ensures that medical providers respect the mother’s right of privacy and refrain from sharing the mother’s toxicology reports or verbal reports with law enforcement. Medical professionals who do not comply will face disciplinary action by their board,†continued Riecken. “Maintaining this level of confidentiality is essential to ensure that expectant mothers feel comfortable participating in the screening process.
“This bill is a positive, comprehensive treatment approach for mother and child, not a punishment for the mother,†said Riecken. “By treating NAS as a health care issue, we can ensure that drug dependent infants receives the care they need.
“This is an issue that I have worked on for many years and I am so excited to see legislation pass that could have such a significant impact on infant health in Indiana,†concluded Riecken.
The bill was passed unanimously by House members.
