Today, Representative Thomas Reynolds and I introduced in both chambers of Congress the Screening for Health of Infants and Newborns (SHINE) Act of 2007. The legislation will allow for the expansion of newborn screening programs at the state level. It also will create a clearinghouse of newborn screening information to increase understanding of newborn diseases and screening services and offer research funding to develop new screening tools for additional life-threatening disorders.

Each year in our nation, at least four million newborns are screened and severe disorders are detected in 5,000 of them. These disorders are often life threatening and can cause serious mental and physical disabilities if left untreated. Early detection by newborn screening can lessen these side effects, or completely prevent progression of many of these disorders if medical intervention can be started early enough. Newborn screening experts suggest states should test for a minimum of 29 treatable core conditions. While New York currently screens for 44 conditions, some states screen for as few as seven conditions.

I am proud that New York has been a leader in newborn screening. However, we want to ensure that the great strides made by New York can be a model for all states and that New York can continue to make advancements that will benefit children around the nation. Every child should have access to screening tests that can help identify serious conditions and allow parents to seek treatments as early as possible.

Sincerely,

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton