MIRACLE Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6220
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-07T09:05:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The MIRACLE Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)—a condition affecting newborns exposed to opioids or other drugs in the womb—and related health outcomes. The goal is to gather data on NAS prevalence and care options, then report findings to Congress to potentially improve support for affected infants and mothers.
Key Provisions
- Study Requirements: HHS must examine:
- The overall prevalence of NAS.
- Health outcomes for infants and mothers linked to pediatric transitional care facilities, which are residential centers providing inpatient or outpatient recovery treatment for infants with NAS.
- Specific Focus Areas:
- Barriers to collecting accurate, current data on NAS among people covered by Medicaid (a joint federal-state health program for low-income individuals, authorized under title XIX of the Social Security Act).
- The range of services and supports available under Medicaid state plans (or approved waivers) for those diagnosed with NAS.
- Reporting Mandate:
- HHS must submit a report to Congress with study findings and recommendations (if applicable) within 3 years of the Act's enactment.
- The report must then be published on a public HHS website for broader access.
- Definitions:
- "Pediatric transitional care facility": A specialized center for treating infants with NAS.
- "State": Includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act introduces a new mandate for HHS to perform a targeted study and report on NAS, which was not previously required under federal law. It does not amend existing statutes like the Social Security Act but builds on them by highlighting data gaps in Medicaid reporting for NAS. No direct alterations to current programs occur; instead, it lays groundwork for future policy adjustments based on the study's results.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will need to allocate resources for the study, potentially involving coordination with state Medicaid agencies for data collection. Congress may use the report to shape future funding or legislation on maternal and child health.
- On Citizens: Infants with NAS and their families could benefit indirectly through improved awareness and potential expansion of Medicaid-covered services, addressing gaps in care for drug-exposed newborns amid the opioid crisis. Mothers facing substance use issues may see enhanced support options.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the Act focuses on domestic U.S. health policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: HHS (leads the study) and Congress (receives and acts on the report).
- State Governments: Medicaid administrators, who provide data and manage services for NAS cases.
- Healthcare Providers: Pediatric transitional care facilities and hospitals treating NAS, which may influence service expansions.
- Citizens and Communities: Infants diagnosed with NAS, their mothers (often dealing with substance use disorders), and families affected by the opioid epidemic, who stand to gain from better data-driven policies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The Act is a straightforward congressional directive to an executive agency (HHS), enforceable under standard administrative law. It promotes transparency by requiring public publication of the report but imposes no new enforceable rights or penalties.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to influence health programs like Medicaid; no apparent conflicts with federalism, as it involves voluntary state data sharing.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concern over the opioid crisis's impact on newborns (introduced by representatives from both parties). The report could spur debates on increasing federal support for addiction recovery, potentially influencing budget priorities without immediate partisan divides.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Maddie’s Infant Recovery And Children’s Legislative Emergency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (3 pages)