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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2008
CONTACT:
Carol Maravic
717-787-6725
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Orie: Senate Endorses Bill to Expand PA's Newborn Screening
Program
The state Senate today approved legislation
that would expand Pennsylvania's Newborn Screening and Follow-up Program to
include 29 "core" genetic conditions that are serious but treatable if
caught early, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny).
Orie, who sponsored a Senate version of House Bill 883, said the measure is
crucial to saving lives and helping children who are born with life-threatening
genetic conditions and their families.
"Each and every baby born in our state deserves the opportunity for a healthy
start," Orie said. "Newborn screening is a vital public health tool that
provides early identification and treatment for infants affected by certain
metabolic, hormonal, genetic or functional disorders. It’s time for
Pennsylvania to act on behalf of our smallest and youngest citizens and their
families by supporting this bill."
Last month, the senator joined
former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly at a press conference to urge
members of the legislature to approve this important legislation.
Kelly founded Hunter's Hope Foundation, in honor of his son, to increase
awareness about newborn diseases and to support funding for research on
treatments and cures.
Thanks in part to that foundation, newborn screening legislation was signed
into law by President Bush on April 24, 2007. The bill created national
standards by expanding screenings of newborn babies and authorizing a grant
program to expand funding to state and local health agencies.
"Currently, Pennsylvania only
provides for services, referrals, and confirmatory testing for only a
fraction of the metabolic conditions as well as hearing," Orie said.
"Expanding the follow-up services will help to save lives and reduce
long-term medical costs."
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