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March of Dimes Applauds Senators Dodd and Dewine for Addressing Newborn Screening Disparities Among States
Washington, D.C., June 14—The March of Dimes applauds the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families for holding today’s hearing on newborn screening.
Disparities among states in health screening tests given at birth mean too many babies with serious birth defects are not being diagnosed and treated in time, the March of Dimes says. “Parents are often unaware that, while nearly all babies born in the United States undergo newborn screening tests for genetic birth defects, the number and quality of these tests vary from state to state,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes recommends that every baby born in the U.S. receive, at a minimum, the same core group of screening tests for metabolic disorders and hearing screening.
The March of Dimes is calling on Congress to strengthen state newborn screening programs by appropriating $25 million to begin the implementation of the heritable disorders (newborn screening) program at HRSA authorized in Title XXVI of the Children’s Health Act of 2000. This program is designed to help states improve their newborn screening programs; to support states’ in developing, evaluating, and acquiring innovative testing technologies; and to establish and improve programs to provide screening, counseling, testing and special services for newborns and children at risk for heritable disorders.
“These tests, done immediately after birth, may mean the difference between a healthy life or a severe disability for a baby,” Dr. Howse says. “Tragedy can sometimes be avoided by quickly identifying a problem and providing the appropriate medical treatment. The March of Dimes looks forward to working with Senators Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Mike Dewine (R-Ohio) as well as other interested committee members to develop legislation that address issues raised at today’s hearing.”
Contact: Christina Manero, (202) 261-7582
Matthew Rhodes, (202) 659-1800
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