The House of Representatives on Monday voted in favor of a bill co-authored by State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) that could save the lives of more children by adding two new tests to Indiana’s newborn screening panel.
Schaibley
Schaibley’s legislation would require spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, and severe combined immunodeficiency, or SCID, to be added to the list of screenings newborns get in Indiana shortly after their births.
“Testing for these serious diseases as soon as possible gives families the ability to treat their child quickly and effectively,” Schaibley said. “By doing this, we are giving children the best chance at survival and improving the quality of life for the child and their family.”
Schaibley said newborn screenings identify diseases in babies shortly after their births, providing opportunities for early interventions that can prevent death or the need for long-term care. In Indiana, newborns are already tested for 47 conditions, including sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, hearing loss and critical congenital heart disease.
Schaibley’s bill can now be considered by the Senate. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.