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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 3, 2020 01:09 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Newborn Screening Awareness Month |
| Newborn screening is one of the country’s most successful public health programs. Each year, one in 300 newborns in the United States are identified with a genetic disorder through screening that, without intervention, may permanently impact newborns and their families. Because of newborn screening, parents of a child with a rare condition can receive information and support much earlier than otherwise. Most importantly, treatments that stop a condition’s progression can be delivered before any impact can occur. Today, Pennsylvania’s Newborn Screening Program either screens or provides follow-up services for 37 diseases, along with testing for congenital heart disease and providing hearing screening. However, while some hospitals and families choose to screen for the optional diseases, many Pennsylvania newborns are only screened for conditions on the short, mandatory list. This has created a system in which Pennsylvania newborns' health is dependent on where they are born or whether their parents have knowledge of these various diseases. Therefore, we must continue to raise awareness of the important role newborn screening plays in identifying treatable diseases. As the United States celebrates nearly 60 years of successful newborn screening, I ask that you join me in designating September 2020 as “Newborn Screening Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as HR1012