U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s legislation protecting Americans’ access to quality poison control centers passed the U.S. Senate unanimously Thursday evening.
The Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024 specifically reauthorizes the Poison Control Centers (PCC) Network program through 2029.
According to Tuberville (R-Auburn), the law will continue to provide lifesaving care to millions of families across the country.
“Poison Centers across the country play a critical role in keeping our families and kids safe,” Tuberville said. “I’m particularly proud of Alabama’s Poison Center at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. In addition to providing life-saving treatments, these centers do a great job helping families in crisis, mitigating the burden on emergency rooms, and tracking valuable data about the flow of illicit drugs across the country.”
Richard Fogelson, CEO of America’s Poison Centers, called them “unsung heroes on the front lines of emerging public threats” and also thanked the bi-partisan group of Senators who introduced the bill, including Tuberville.
“For more than 70 years Poison Centers have saved countless American lives and continued to keep communities and families safe from poison-related emergencies,” Fogelson noted. By providing expert, confidential, and free guidance through the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) Poison Centers also save health care dollars and prevent unnecessary hospital visits.”
“We thank and extend our appreciation to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Sen. Ben Luján (D-NM), and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) for championing our mission and recognizing the critical role the nation’s 55 Poison Centers play in protecting the nation’s public health.”
In 2022, the PCC Network responded to over 2 million human exposures—receiving an exposure case every 15 seconds on average.
Identical legislation cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in March.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
