Advocacy Success – Newborn Screening
CCHD has been supporting the efforts of the March of Dimes to ensure passage of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act. We have reached out to you in the past to contact your legislators about this key support for screening including CCHD screening. We wanted to you with an exciting update!!
From our Friends at the March of Dimes:
Breaking News: Senate Passes Newborn Screening Bill!
We are one step closer to the finish line! The U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1281, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act (NBSSLRA), by unanimous consent on December 8. The bill now returns to the House for ratification of an amendment included by the Senate. If the House approves this final change, the bill will go to the President for signature into law. Thanks to all of you for your commitment and always answering the call to action! It is because of this dedication and all of your efforts that legislators listened and worked to get this important legislation passed.
As a reminder, NBSSLRA extends federal programs that provide assistance to states to improve and expand their newborn screening programs; supports parent and provider education; and ensures laboratory quality and surveillance for newborn screening programs. For more information, check out our press release.
Your hundreds of phone calls, letters, meetings and messages letting legislators know how important this issue is to you made a real difference! Congressional offices let us know they were hearing from constituents and stakeholder groups alike about the urgent need to pass this bill. We want to also thank our champions Senators Kay Hagan and Orrin Hatch and Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard and Mike Simpson for their steadfast efforts to help improve the health of babies nationwide.
Stay tuned as more news and movement on this bill develops throughout the week!