Luján Passes Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Poison Control Centers Network, Help Families Get Emergency Help and Safety Information

Washington, D.C. – Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), alongside U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Mitt Romney (R-UT), led the Senate passage of the Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Poison Control Centers (PCC) Network program through 2029.

The PCC Network program runs the Poison Control National Toll-Free hotline (1-800-222-1222) and 55 poison control centers nationwide—medical support facilities staffed by toxicologists, nurses, and other professionals operating 24 hours a day seven days a week. The program is supported by a combination of public and private funding. In 2022, the PCC Network responded to more than 2 million human exposures—receiving an exposure case every 15 seconds on average.

“With the Senate passage of our bipartisan legislation, Congress is one step closer to ensuring that poison centers can continue serving New Mexicans while providing critical education and prevention information. These centers save lives and it’s critical that all New Mexicans have reliable access to this vital lifeline,” said Senator Luján. “This is common-sense, bipartisan legislation and I am hopeful that the House will follow our lead and send this bill to President Biden’s desk.”

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Luján, alongside his Senate cosponsors, for the Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024,” said Joseph Lambson, PharmD, director of The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy’s NM Poison and Drug Information Center.  “This crucial legislation significantly bolsters the Center’s ability to serve the entire state of New Mexico in providing 24/7 expert, confidential, and free guidance through the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222). This Act furthermore provides long term support for the services we provide and enhances our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to poisoning emergencies across our state including medication overdoses and related life-threatening situations, contributing to substantial cost savings for both the state and individuals. We look forward to many more years of service.”

The Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024 reauthorizes the PCC Network program, Poison Control National Toll-Free phone number, and national media campaign, through 2029.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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