Pennsylvania HR 577: A Resolution recognizing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on its 60th anniversary.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3659
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 577
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY CURRY, KAZEEM, MADDEN, HOHENSTEIN, WAXMAN,
McNEILL, VENKAT, MERSKI, PIELLI, GUZMAN, STEELE, MAYES,
SANCHEZ, D. WILLIAMS, GALLAGHER AND CIRESI, JUNE 22, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 22, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "Newborn Screening
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Newborn screening is the practice of screening every
newborn prior to hospital discharge for certain harmful or
potentially fatal conditions that are not otherwise apparent at
birth; and
WHEREAS, Early detection of these conditions in newborns
facilitates timely interventions that result in significant
decreases in morbidity, mortality and disability; and
WHEREAS, If abnormal results are detected in a newborn
screening test, families can seek further testing and follow-up
care and treatment if necessary; and
WHEREAS, Every year nearly 4 million newborns in the United
States undergo newborn screening; and
WHEREAS, More than 125,000 newborns in Pennsylvania underwent
newborn screening in 2023; and
WHEREAS, One in 300 newborns in the United States are
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identified with a genetic disorder through screening that,
without intervention, may permanently impact newborns and their
families; and
WHEREAS, Newborn screening enables early detection and
treatment, promoting better health outcomes for children; and
WHEREAS, Newborn screening was named in the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's list of Ten Great Public Health
Achievements in the first 10 years of the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, Newborn screening began in 1963 in the United States
with testing for phenylketonuria (PKU); and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania began newborn screening with the act of
September 9, 1965 (P.L.497, No.251), known as the Newborn Child
Testing Act, which today mandates screening and follow-up
services for certain diseases listed in statute, along with
those added by the Newborn Screening and Follow-up Technical
Advisory Board and listed in the Recommended Uniform Screening
Panel by the United States Department of Health and Human
Services; and
WHEREAS, Infants in Pennsylvania are tested for metabolic,
endocrine and hemoglobin disorders, congenital heart disease and
hearing loss; and
WHEREAS, Newborn screening is generally comprised of a blood
spot screening test to detect certain rare health conditions, a
pulse oximetry screening test to identify heart defects and a
hearing test to measure hearing abilities; and
WHEREAS, Currently this Commonwealth's newborn screening
panel test includes 64 conditions; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's Newborn Screening and Follow-Up
Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of
Health; and
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WHEREAS, The Save Babies Through Screening Foundation and
partner groups started "Newborn Screening Awareness Month" in
2000 to recognize each September to promote awareness of newborn
screening and detectable diseases among new and expecting
parents, health care practitioners and the public; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of September 2026 as "Newborn Screening Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth recognize the importance of
raising awareness of newborn screening and encouraging current
and future parents to educate themselves and take the necessary
steps to ensure the health of their children.
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