U.S. agency pushes reforms to protect drug-dependent babies

Reuters: The U.S. Health and Human Services Department is revamping its policies to help protect thousands of babies born dependent on drugs, a reform triggered by a Reuters investigative report, the agency’s leader told a congressional committee on Tuesday.

“Specific actions are being taken where we have found there is wrongdoing,” Secretary Sylvia Burwell told the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee. Burwell did not offer a detailed plan but pledged to “take a more pro-active approach” to enforce a 2003 federal law requiring states to report and protect drug-affected newborns.

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