[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E693-E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING NATIONAL BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2002

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
358, Supporting the Goals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month.
  Hearing loss is the most frequently occurring birth defect in the 
United States, affecting 3 of every 1,000 newborns. Newborn hearing 
loss is 20 times more prevalent than PKU, a condition for which all 
newborns are currently screened. Often, hearing loss is not detected 
until a child is 2 to 3 years old.
  Fortunately, there is a quick procedure that can be used to test 
infant hearing before newborns leave the hospital. Starting in 2000, 
Congress made grants available to the states through Health Resources 
and Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control to help 
reach the goal of testing every infant for hearing loss. States use the 
federal grants to train audiologists to use screening equipment and 
educate parents on the need for hearing screening and follow-up care.
  The federal dollars are important to the success of the newborn 
screenings. Nationally, 67 percent of babies are presently screened, up 
from 20 percent in 1999. In my home state of Minnesota, only 8 percent 
of hospitals screened newborns for hearing loss before the state 
received the federal grant money. Today, 85 percent of Minnesota 
hospitals perform the screenings.
  We know that infants identified with hearing loss before 6 months 
have a significant academic and social advantage over those who are not 
in a program by 6 months. The average savings in special education 
costs per child if hearing loss is detected early enough is $400,000. 
The UNHS program pays for itself in special education savings many 
times over.
  Sadly, the $13 million in HRSA grants were cut from the President's 
proposed FY 2003 budget. These cuts may undo the progress we have made 
in ensuring that every infant is screened for hearing loss before 
leaving the hospital.
  I want to thank Congressman Ryan for bringing attention to such an 
important issue. Under this resolution recognizing Better Hearing and 
Speech Month, Congress commends the 41 States that have implemented 
routine hearing screenings for every newborn before they leave the 
hospital.
  We still have work to do, however. I recently met with constituents 
who had to battle doctors to get hearing screening for their newborn, 
even though their older son suffered from hearing loss. As members of 
Congress we can do more to help parents. No parent should have to fight 
for basic infant health care.
  Hearing screening in 41 states is not enough. We must continue this 
success in

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every state. I have promised the people of the 4th District of 
Minnesota that I am committed to working in Congress for essential 
programs like newborn hearing screening. I hope my colleagues will join 
me in this commitment to improving the quality of life for our nation's 
children, families, and communities.

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