Springfield…In an effort to ensure that newborn infants continue to receive vital metabolic screenings, State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) sponsored and passed HB 4896 to ensure that the Metabolic Screening and Treatment Fund are not subjected to administrative charges or charge-backs. Now headed to the Senate, Poe says that securing the funding for these screenings is vital to ensuring a baby’s healthy development.

“In the past, the Newborn Metabolic Screening funds have been subject to administrative charge-backs in Illinois,” said Poe. “As a result, the healths of thousands of babies have been put at unnecessary risk. To ensure that this does not happen again, I worked with the March of Dimes on this important piece of legislation to help ensure that any disorders are detected and treated early.”

The March of Dimes recommends every state screen newborns for a core group of disorders at birth. These disorders have no immediate visible effects on a baby, but unless they are detected and treated early, they can cause physical disabilities, mental retardation, and even death. The Newborn Screening Fund is critical to ensuring that all babies born in Illinois receive screening, follow up, and referral for treatment.

HB 496 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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