Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
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Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleague Senator Dodd in introducing the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2006.
This important legislation would help States expand and improve their newborn screening programs, educate parents and health care providers about newborn screening, and improve follow-up care for infants with an illness detected through screening.
Newborn screening is a public health activity used for early identification of infants affected by certain genetic, metabolic, hormonal and functional conditions for which there may be an effective treatment or intervention. If left untreated, these conditions can cause death, disability, mental retardation, and other serious health problems. Every year, over 4 million infants are born and screened to detect such conditions, with an estimated 3,000 babies identified in time for treatment. However, the number and quality of newborn screening tests performed varies dramatically from State to State. The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2006 aims to remedy these problems and improve newborn screening for all of America's newborns.
This legislation is important because it provides resources to States to expand and improve their newborn screening programs and encourage States to test for the full roster of disorders recommended by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. It is imperative that we test for the full roster of disorders. That is why we are introducing this legislation to provide adequate funds to get this program started. It authorizes $65 million in fiscal year 07 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 08 through fiscal year 11 for grants to educate health care professionals, laboratory personnel, and parents about newborn screening and relevant new technologies.
I encourage my colleagues to join Senator DODD and me in co-sponsoring this important bill.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
S. 2663
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