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Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama House committee passes contested midwife practice bill after public hearing
Johannah McDonald, a Huntsville resident, sits in a crowded House Health Committee meeting on April 23, 2025, with her daughter, Ruhama McDonald, to watched the public hearing on SB 87, which would only allow midwives to conduct the heel stick test of the newborn screening panel. An Alabama House committee Wednesday passed a bill changing the scope of practice for midwives in Alabama after a packed public hearing over the measure. As originally filed, SB 87, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would have allowed midwives to administer three parts of newborn screenings: heel stick, hearing screening and Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screening, which can provide early detection of genetic or metabolic conditions. But in the Senate, the bill was amended to only allow midwives to conduct a heel stick and adds language prohibiting midwives from providing 'any care' that is not in law or in an emergency to newborns. 'This bill started out with those three newborn screening tests included, but two of them were removed when the substitute was submitted over in the Senate. It passed the Senate, and so that's where the bill stands today,' said Rep. Ben Harrison, R-Elkmont, who is carrying the bill in the House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Midwives in Alabama were only allowed to practice after the state in 2017 started regulating midwifery and lifted a four-decade ban on the practice. Midwives have since then been fighting to provide more comprehensive care. The medical community has historically pushed back against such efforts, saying midwives don't have sufficient training, especially in cases of emergency. State health guidelines in Alabama require newborn screenings within 24-48 hours postpartum. Midwives must refer newborns to pediatricians, often delaying these critical tests. While midwives can administer screenings if a doctor is absent, they are not allowed to order these tests. Alabama midwives pull support from bill after addition of 'hostile language' The new version also states that while a licensed midwife 'may order and administer a heel lance within 72 hours after birth,' they are 'prohibited from interpreting any tests or screens under this subsection and shall cause any results to be referred to a physician of the mother's choosing who is licensed to practice medicine.' 'Today, I'm calling out a disgrace … SB 87 has been hijacked. As is, it denigrates the sanctity of motherhood, the safety of newborns, and above all, is a wolf in sheep's clothing,' said Aaron Crawford, president of the Alabama Birth Coalition, who blamed lobbyists for changes in the bill. Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, said he opposed the bill as amended but supported its original intent. 'Choices and options are being removed or denied from Alabama mothers because it would seem special interest and a general attitude that our mothers and their midwives can't possibly make good decisions and should trust the experts. I would humbly submit that 6,000 years plus of evidence would be different to that,' he said. Maria Cranford, a midwife in north Alabama, said that national standards provide midwives are trained and educated in the care of mothers and newborns through the first six weeks after birth. 'This includes performing newborn exams, administering newborn screens, critical congenital heart screenings with referral… and newborn screenings,' she said. 'All of which I'm taught students to do in clinical settings — not here in Alabama, because I'm legally not allowed to.' Support for the amended bill came from the medical community, who said it would preserve medical standards. Linda Lee, executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Alabama chapter, read a statement from Dr. Nola Jean Ernest, a pediatrician in Enterprise. Claiming there's no evidence that midwifery improves infant mortality rates, Ernest said that 'all further medical evaluation and care' should be performed by a medical provider. 'Lay midwives attending home births do not have the equivalent training or clinical experience as pediatricians or neonatologists,' Ernest wrote in the letter. Danne Howard, deputy director of the Alabama Hospital Association, also supported the bill as it passed the Senate and defended notions that 'hospitals across the state have not abandoned labor and delivery.' Rural hospitals have faced financial struggle for years, which had led to some delivery units being closed around the state. 'Alabama Hospital [Association] supported the bill as it was passed by the Senate and look forward to additional work in years to come to see what other avenues that we can make great strides in improving access to care,' Howard said. The committee approved the bill on a voice vote. The legislation moves to the full House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama midwives pull support from bill after addition of ‘hostile language'
Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, walks across the floor of the Alabama Senate on April 25, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. A group representing Alabama midwives withdrew its support for a bill updating their practice regulations after Stutts introduced a substitute that they said was too restrictive. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A group representing midwives in the state has withdrawn its support for a bill intended to update their practice regulations after a Senate committee made significant changes to it. As originally filed, SB 87, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would have allowed midwives to administer three parts of newborn screenings: heel stick, hearing screening, and Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screening, which can provide early detection of genetic or metabolic conditions. These screenings should be completed within 24-48 hours of birth, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Midwives currently have to recommend their patients to a pediatrician's office, often delaying the time-sensitive screenings. Alabama allows a birth attendant to administer them if a physician is absent but has not allowed midwives to acquire them. Nancy Megginson, legislative chair with the Alabama Midwives Alliance (ALMA), said in a phone interview Monday that midwives have faced ambiguity regarding their ability to conduct newborn screenings. While existing law requires midwives to instruct clients about these screenings, it only explicitly allows them to order the tests. This has led to midwives being denied the screening kits, particularly the blood spot test cards collected via heel sticks. 'Our issue has been once we were licensed, we started ordering the newborn screening cards from the Department of Public Health, because our law says a midwife shall order the newborn screening. We were actually told to stop trying to order them, that they weren't going to give them to us because they didn't know who would be administering it,' Megginson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The substitute version introduced and adopted in the committee would authorize licensed midwives to administer a heel stick but explicitly states that a midwife 'is prohibited from interpreting any tests or screens under this subsection and shall cause any results to be referred to a physician of the mother choosing who is licensed to practice medicine in this state.' Midwives say the new language in the bill is too restrictive, particularly concerning newborn care and screening. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, who introduced the substitute, said in an interview Monday that saying midwives 'are not qualified' to interpret results. 'They're not pediatricians. They're not qualified to interpret the results and provide newborn care,' Stutts said. Under the substitute bill, Stutts said midwives 'can collect the sample and then send it to somebody that is qualified' but that the bill 'does not expand anything else that they can do.' Megginson said that the new language stating midwives are prohibited from providing any newborn care was 'hostile language that had never been discussed.' Midwives are trained in newborn care for up to six months, Megginson said, but they are not trying to interpret test results or diagnose conditions. Restricting their ability to perform state-mandated screenings or assist with basic newborn needs is 'absolutely absurd,' Megginson said. She is now actively lobbying legislators to amend the bill on the Senate floor. 'We are encouraging anyone to place an amendment, to put it back on track, where all three screenings would be included, where no language about newborn care to be written. We'd like that to be completely struck through,' Megginson said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newborn Screening Market Size to Reach US$ 2.69 billion by 2031, Growing at a CAGR of 9.5%, Says The Insight Partners
The Newborn Screening Market growth is driven by increasing government funding for screening programs, advancements in diagnostic technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and the rising prevalence of congenital disorders. Key players such as LifeCell International Pvt Ltd and PerkinElmer Inc. are leading the market. Governments worldwide are investing in early detection to improve health outcomes for newborns, which further fuels the market's expansion. US & Canada, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US & Canada, Mar, 24, 2025 (GlobeNewswire) -- According to a comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, 'Newborn Screening Market Size and Forecast, Global and Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report', The newborn screening market value is expected to reach US$ 2.69 billion by 2031 from US$ 1.43 billion in 2024; the market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 9.5% during 2025– explore the valuable insights in the Newborn Screening Market report, you can easily download a sample PDF of the report- Global Newborn Screening market is observing significant growth owing to the mounting prevalence of CVD and growing cases of osteoporosis bone deformation in adults and newborns. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the Newborn Screening market comprises a vast array of product and services that are expected to register strength during the coming years. Competitive Strategy and Development Key players: LifeCell International Pvt Ltd, Zentech SA, Trivitron Healthcare Pvt Ltd, PerkinElmer Inc, Waters Corp, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Masimo Corp, Natus Medical Inc., Baebies Inc, and MRC Holland BV are among the major companies operating in the newborn screening market. Trending topics: Advances in Genetic Testing for Newborns, Expansion of Newborn Screening Panels, Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Newborn Screening, Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Newborn Screening, Impact of Expanded Newborn Screening on Public Health, Ethical Considerations in Newborn Screening, Global Variability in Newborn Screening Practices, Implementation of Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD). Headlines on Newborn Screening Trivitron Healthcare Launched Two New Tests in the Newborn Screening Panel Revvity Launched NGS Panel, Workflow to Complement Current Newborn Screening Mylab Introduced a Revolutionary Point-of-Care Newborn Screening Device for Enhanced Healthcare Revvity and SCIEX Collaborated to Provide Innovative Neonatal Mass Spectrometry Solution Orchard Therapeutics Celebrated Global Progress toward Advancing Newborn Screening for MLD on International Neonatal Screening Day Trivitron Healthcare launched #EkSahiShuruat - An Initiative to Raise Awareness on Newborn Screening in IndiaNewborn Screening Market Overview of Report Findings 1. Market Growth: The newborn screening market value is expected to reach US$ 2.69 billion by 2031 from US$ 1.43 billion in 2024; the market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 9.5% during 2025–2031. The newborn screening market is growing owing to surging government funding for newborn screening and increasing prevalence of newborn disorders. Moreover, the rising burden of congenital diseases is likely to fuel the market expansion in the coming years. 2. Surging Government Funding for Newborn Screening: Governments globally are recognizing the importance of identifying genetic, metabolic, and congenital disorders in newborns, enabling earlier interventions that can prevent severe health complications later in life. In the US, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has allocated funds to support state-based newborn screening programs, expanding the number of disorders screened. Below are a few instances: Newborn screening Co-Propel strengthens the State Newborn Screening Systems Priorities Programs by adding US$ 3.4 million to the US$ 9.3 million awarded in 2023. In August 2024, the Australian government invested US$ 5.5 million into a newborn screening platform to screen hundreds of life-threatening genetic illnesses at birth. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). In August 2024, Emory University's Medical Nutrition Therapy for Prevention (MNT4P) program was awarded US$2 million to assess and optimize the effectiveness of newborn screening programs in the Southeast US over the next four years. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed universal newborn screening, urging countries to expand screening capabilities. Governments are also funding research to advance screening technologies, such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), to detect a broader range of genetic conditions. Countries in Europe have made investments in extensive screening systems that incorporate rare disease testing. Globally, these initiatives are guaranteeing improved outcomes for babies and expanding access to early therapies. Therefore, government funding plays a crucial role in advancing technology and making screening programs more accessible. 3. Rising Burden of Congenital Diseases: Early identification is essential for averting long-term health issues as the prevalence of genetic, metabolic, and congenital illnesses rises worldwide. Early screening enables timely interventions, improving outcomes for affected newborns and reducing the long-term healthcare costs associated with untreated conditions. Congenital disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), are being detected earlier through expanded newborn screening programs. For instance, there is no national congenital disabilities tracking system in the US. The majority of states have procedures in place to track certain birth abnormalities. The prevalence of birth abnormalities in the US has been estimated using state data. The table below presents current national estimates of certain birth defects: Specific defects How often do they occur? How many babies are affected each year? Anencephaly 1 in 5,246 births 700 Encephalocele 1 in 10,365 births 354 Spina bifida without anencephaly 1 in 2,875 births 1,278 Anophthalmia/microphthalmia 1 in 5,078 births 723 Atrioventricular septal defect (Endocardial cushion defect) 1 in 1,712 births 2,145 After studies demonstrated that early gene therapy treatment might greatly increase survival rates and quality of life, SMA was added to state screening panels in the US. In order to detect these abnormalities early and provide access to treatments that can reduce developmental problems and impairments, governments are placing a greater emphasis on newborn screening. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the rising burden of congenital conditions globally, emphasizing the need for expanded newborn screening to address these challenges. In regions with higher birth defects, governments are investing in programs to detect critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) and metabolic disorders to ensure earlier interventions and better patient outcomes. The growing burden of congenital diseases underscores the need for widespread, comprehensive newborn screening programs, driving the market for these diagnostic technologies. Geographical Insights: In 2023, North America led the market with a substantial revenue share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Market Segmentation Based on product type, the newborn screening market is bifurcated into reagents & assay kits and instruments. The reagents & assay kits segment held a larger share of the market in 2024. In terms of technology, the newborn screening market is categorized into tandem mass spectrometry (TMS), molecular assays, immunoassays and enzymatic assays, pulse oximetry screening technology, and other technologies. The pulse oximetry screening technology segment dominated the market in 2024. Based on test type, the newborn screening market is segmented into dry blood spot tests, hearing screen tests, critical congenital heart disease tests, and other tests. The blood spot test segment dominated the market in 2024. By end user, the newborn screening market is segmented into hospitals & clinics and diagnostic laboratories. The hospitals & clinics segment dominated the market in 2024. The newborn screening market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central In conclusion, the market for newborn screening is expanding as a result of advancements in diagnostic technologies, rising rates of congenital and genetic disorders, and increasing government support. Key drivers driving market growth include the expansion of screening panels, the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and growing awareness of the significance of early detection. In order to improve healthcare outcomes and lower long-term costs, governments worldwide are funding universal screening programs. The market is expected to grow further due to continuous technical developments and easier access to screening, which will benefit both babies and healthcare systems globally. The report from The Insight Partners provides several stakeholders—including manufacturers of reagents & assay kits and instruments—with valuable insights to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new Reports- Genomics Market Analysis and Forecast by Size, Share, Growth, Trends 2031 Prenatal and Newborn Genetic Testing Market Forecast & Growth 2031 Viral Molecular Diagnostics Market Growth, Top Players, and Forecast by 2031 Neurometabolic Disorders Market Drivers, Trends, and Forecast by 2031About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit MathurE-mail: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release- in to access your portfolio
