STAT

Opinion: Newborn screening saves lives. Congress needs to reauthorize the program

Newborn screening, which saves or improves the lives of thousands of babies each year, can continue to improve and thrive only if the federal-state partnership currently in place continues.
An obstetrician technician collects a blood sample from a newborn in the nursery at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis.

One of the most successful public health stories in U.S. history — the nation’s newborn screening program — was the subject of a recent reauthorization hearing held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Each year, just over 4 million babies are born in the United States. Virtually all of them have a heel pricked to draw a few drops of blood that are then analyzed to see if they have any of a . What makes this program so essential

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT1 min read
STAT+: Senate Drug Shortage Bill Would Pay Hospitals Bonuses For Good Contracting Practices
A bipartisan Senate bill takes a new approach to persistent drug shortages: have Medicare pay bonuses to hospitals and physicians for contracting that ensures a steady supply.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About GLP-1 Spending, Biosimilar Patient Costs, And More
Spending on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy ballooned last year and they're set to cost the U.S. health care system and the federal government still more.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About FTC Fighting ‘Junk’ Patents, Pfizer Direct-to-consumer Plans, And More
The FTC expanded its campaign against pharmaceutical companies for filing what it calls “junk” patent listings for 20 different brand-name treatments.

Related Books & Audiobooks