President Biden Signs U.S. Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024

[October 30, 2024] On September 26, 2024, President Biden signed the Poison Control Centers (PCC) Reauthorization Act of 2024, passing the act into law (Public Law No: 118-86). The act reauthorizes the national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), supports a national media campaign to educate the public and healthcare providers about the Poison Help line and poison prevention and education resources, and continues a critical grant program to support the ability of poison control centers to provide services. The PCC Reauthorization Act of 2024 reauthorizes the poison center network through 2029.

Poisonings are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The PCC Reauthorization Act of 2024 is vital to preventing poison and toxin-related health emergencies in America and to maintaining the Poison Help line. The Poison Help line is a fast, free, confidential help line available 24/7/365 nationwide, staffed by medical experts. Calling the Poison Help line connects you with your local poison control center.

"For more than 70 years Poison Centers have saved countless American lives and continued to keep communities and families safe from poison-related emergencies. Poison Centers offer a vital lifeline to individuals, families and healthcare providers dealing with accidental poisonings, medication errors, and exposure to harmful substances," said Richard Fogelson, CEO of America's Poison Centers. "Poison Centers are the unsung heroes on the front lines of responding to emerging public health threats."

By reauthorizing funding for U.S. Poison Centers, Poison Centers can continue to save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and promote public health. Thank you to Sen. Murray (D-WA), Sen. Tuberville (R-AL), Sen. Luján (D-NM), Sen. Romney (R-UT), Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer (OR-05), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) for being champions for U.S. Poison Centers.

"Poison Centers across the country play a critical role in keeping our families and kids safe," said Senator Tuberville. "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. I'm glad to see this important bill signed into law."

"Poison control centers play a vital role in preventing accidental deaths and offer important educational resources to raise awareness about dangerous substances," Chavez-DeRemer said. "Extending these key programs will help save lives while reducing pressure on emergency rooms nationwide. I'd like to thank America's Poison Centers for their advocacy and efforts to help get this important legislation signed into law."

"Congress's reauthorization of funding to bolster the support for poison control centers is preventing poisonings and lowering emergency room visits nationwide," said Congressman Don Davis. "We must be grateful for the committed and hardworking team at America's Poison Centers [U.S. Poison Centers], who save lives during critical and life-threatening emergencies. They are heroes, and we must recognize them as such."

About America's Poison Centers

America's Poison Centers represents the network of Poison Centers across the country. We are united in our cause to prevent every poison- and toxin-related health emergency in America. Through our national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and website (PoisonHelp.org), we provide all Americans expert advice from nationally accredited centers with specialists who are certified in drug interactions, poison ingestions and exposure to toxins. These services are available 24/7/365, at no cost. Together, America's Poison Centers ensure a national quality standard for the detection, prevention and treatment of toxin-related health emergencies.