FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5141

                           C 76 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing the department of health to charge a fee for newborn screening services.

Sponsors:  Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Prentice and Winsley; by request of Department of Health.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Health Care

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  All newborn infants born in this state must be screened for several inherited genetic disorders before they are discharged from the hospital.  This screening is only waived if there is parental objection for religious reasons.  The Department of Health assesses a one-time charge for the screening which is added to the bill for maternity services.  The current fee is $35.75.

The newborn screening is done to detect four congenital diseases:  phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and hemoglobin diseases, such as sickle cell disease.  Early treatment of these disorders prevents serious illness, disability or death in children.

The newborn screening fee does not cover follow-up treatment services for children.  Clinics which service these families have been funded largely by federal grants which expire this year.

Summary:  The Department of Health is authorized to collect an additional fee for supplying services in specialty clinics to children with congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hemoglobin disorders and phenylketonuria under the state=s infant screening program.

Appropriation:  $512,000 for the biennium, collected through a fee increase of $3.50 per infant.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 48 0

House     93 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999