[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 11247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4481]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Request for 
Public Comment on a HRSA Commissioned Report: Newborn Screening: Toward 
a Uniform Screening Panel and System

SUMMARY: The changing dynamics of emerging technology, and the 
complexity of genetics require an assessment of the state of the art in 
newborn screening and a perspective on the future directions such 
programs should take. In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics 
Newborn Screening Task Force recommended that ``HRSA should engage in a 
national process involving government, professionals, and consumers to 
advance the recommendations of this Task Force and assist in the 
development and implementation of nationally recognized newborn 
screening system standards and policies.'' In response to this need, 
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 701(a)(2), the Maternal and Child Health Bureau 
(MCHB) of HRSA commissioned the American College of Medical Genetics 
(ACMG) to conduct an analysis of the scientific literature on the 
effectiveness of newborn screening and gather expert opinion to 
delineate the best evidence for screening specified conditions and 
develop recommendations focused on newborn screening, including but not 
limited to the development of a uniform condition panel. It was 
expected that the analytical endeavor and subsequent recommendations be 
based on the best scientific evidence and analysis of that evidence. 
ACMG was specifically asked to develop recommendations to address:
     A uniform condition panel (including implementation 
methodology);
     Model policies and procedures for State newborn screening 
programs (with consideration of a national model);
     Model minimum standards for State newborn screening 
programs (with consideration of national oversight);
     A model decision matrix for consideration of State newborn 
screening program expansion; and
     The value of a national process for quality assurance and 
oversight.
    The ACMG report is a response to the HRSA/MCHB request. The ACMG 
report, Newborn Screening: Toward a Uniform Screening Panel and System 
is available at http://mchb.hrsa.gov/screening.
    In the report, 29 conditions were identified as primary targets or 
core panel conditions for screening; an additional 25 conditions were 
listed as conditions that could be identified in the course of 
screening for core panel conditions. Many of these 25 additional 
conditions are included in the differential diagnosis of the conditions 
including in the primary target list. With additional screening, an 
improvement in the infrastructure for appropriate follow-up and 
management throughout the lives of children who have been identified as 
having one of these rare conditions will be needed. A cost analysis for 
the State of California indicates newborn screening is beneficial to 
patients and may have some net costs or net savings over time depending 
on assumptions of expected lifetime costs of medical care.
    HRSA is now seeking public comments on the report and its 
recommendations.

DATES: The public is encouraged to submit written comments on the 
report and its recommendations within 60 days of publication of this 
Federal Register notice.

ADDRESSES: The following mailing address should be used: Maternal and 
Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, 18A-19, Rockville, MD 20857. HRSA/
MCHB's facsimile number is 301-443-8604. Comments can also be sent via 
e-mail to [email protected]. All public comments received will be 
available for public inspection at MCHB/HRSA's office between the hours 
of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about this request for 
public comment can be directed to Dr. Michele Lloyd-Puryear, MD, PhD, 
by e-mail ([email protected]). The report will be posted on HRSA/
MCHB's Web site at http://mchb.hrsa.gov/screening.

    Dated: March 2, 2005.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4481 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P