March of Dimes Objects to Change in Maryland Newborn Screening Procedures
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In February 2009, the March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter presented testimony before the Maryland General Assembly Senate Finance Committee in objection to Senate Bill 160, "Hereditary and Congenital Disorders – Newborn Screening." The March of Dimes was concerned that the legislation, which would have eliminated the parental right to refuse certain hereditary and congenital disorder screens, had the potential to decrease the number of newborns who are screened.
"The legislation might appear well-intentioned on its face," said Anne Eder, director of program services, "but it would have undermined what is now one of the nation’s most successful newborn screening programs."
According to Eder, Senate Bill 160 would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to set up different guidelines for disorders: those for which there are effective treatments and those for which there are not. "This would have put parents in an untenable position of only being able to refuse screening for some conditions," said Eder. "Newborns might not receive treatment in a timely fashion. The result could be disability or even death."
The bill was defeated in committee.
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