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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 21, 2015 11:10 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mark Rozzi |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship - Infant Vision Information, Education and Wellness Act IVIEW) |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will establish the Infant Vision Information, Education and Wellness (IVIEW) Program within the Department of Health. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends vision evaluation, including red reflex testing, during the neonatal period and during all subsequent routine health visits. Early detection of vision-threatening and potentially life-threatening vision abnormalities, such as cataracts, glaucoma, leukocoria, retinoblastoma and other retinal abnormalities, and systemic diseases with ocular manifestations and high refractive errors, is vital for early treatment of ocular diseases that occur frequently in newborns and infants. The goal of this legislation is to identify 100% of newborns and infants with vision abnormalities within 30 days of the date of birth, provide timely assessment as necessary, and provide appropriate referral for treatment and intervention before the age of six months. My legislation will establish the IVIEW Program within the Department of Health that will consist of a system to: screen each newborn for vision abnormalities before leaving a hospital; screen each newborn who is not born in a hospital within the first 30 days of life; and provide information and instruction to the parents of each newborn and infant on the merits of having vision screening performed and receiving follow-up care. The IVIEW Program will enable infants and their families to obtain necessary comprehensive evaluation, treatment and intervention services at the earliest opportunity. It will also prevent or mitigate the developmental delays and excessive costs associated with late identification of vision abnormalities. The Department of Health will be tasked with planning, establishing, administering and evaluating the IVIEW Program to determine appropriate services for newborns, infants and children who have vision abnormalities. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation to ensure the health and safety of newborns and infants throughout the Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB1478