“The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act” reauthorizes funding to help states expand and improve their programs and lays the foundation for federal guidance on a core panel of disorders for which all newborns should be screened..  Currently the number of conditions for which a newborn is screened varies depending on the state in which the child is born.  

“Screening for treatable conditions at birth can mean the difference between a healthy life or a severe disability or even death for a newborn.  Such tragedy can be avoided by early detection of the problem and immediately initiating treatment. 

“This important measure also authorizes funding to educate health professionals and parents about newborn screening and to improve follow-up care and treatment for infants when a disorder is detected. The March of Dimes strongly supports the “Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act” and urges its swift approval by the full Senate.

“On behalf of the Foundation, I want to commend especially Senators Dodd, Hatch, and Clinton for authoring this groundbreaking legislation.  We also applaud Chairman Kennedy and Ranking Member Enzi for their skill in moving the bill through the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.”

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.