STATEHOUSE (Jan. 24, 2018) — The House of Representatives voted on Tuesday in support State Rep. Heath VanNatter’s (R-Kokomo) bill that would help better ensure swift and early detection of diseases in newborns.
To help families have peace of mind or begin preparing for next steps of treatment, VanNatter’s legislation would establish when a blood sample must be taken from infants for required testing. Blood samples would be collected 24 hours after birth or immediately before being discharged. He said while many Indiana hospitals follow this protocol, placing it in law will help families know what to expect while receiving medical care.
“Defining when these blood samples must be taken can help speed up the screening process and help get mothers and babies out of the hospital and back home,” VanNatter said. “This bill would reflect the standard set by the Indiana State Department of Health and also ensure we are keeping in step with other states.”
According to VanNatter, newborn screenings help 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 tested for 47 conditions, including sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, hearing loss and critical congenital heart disease.
VanNatter said the time requirement for taking a blood sample would not apply to preterm infants or newborn infants who receive a total-exchange blood transfusion.
House Bill 1287 can now move to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes portions of Carroll, Cass, Howard and Clinton counties.
A high-resolution photo of VanNatter can be downloaded by clicking here.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) presents his legislation on the House floor on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. VanNatter’s legislation would help better ensure early detection of diseases in newborns. House Bill 1287 can now be considered by the Senate.
