Newborn heart disease screening advanced

Senators advanced a bill to select file Feb. 8 that would adopt the Nebraska Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Act.

Under LB225, introduced by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, all newborns in Nebraska would be required to undergo screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in accordance with standards adopted by the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

CCHD is among the leading causes of morbidity and death in newborns, Smith said, and can be detected with a simple test similar to those already required for hearing, metabolic and inherited disorders.

“Early detection saves lives and saves money,” he said, “and all at a very insignificant cost.”

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 32-0, replaced the bill and outlines who would be responsible for screening newborns.

As amended, the bill would require an attending physician to screen or cause the CCHD screening of a newborn in a birthing facility. For planned deliveries outside of a birthing facility, the prenatal care provider would inform the parent of the screening requirement and the parent would be responsible for having the screening performed.

For other deliveries outside of a birthing facility – if the newborn is not admitted to a birthing facility – the person registering the birth would be responsible for having the screening performed.

The bill also would require DHHS to develop educational materials and apply for federal funds for the program.

The bill advanced on a 40-0 vote.