House Health Committee backs bill allowing limited newborn screening changes amid split testimony

The House Health Committee gave Senate Bill 87 a favorable report April 23 after a divided public hearing on whether certified midwives should be permitted to perform parts of the state-mandated newborn screening process.

SB 87, carried to the committee on behalf of Senator Stutz (introduced to the committee as a Senate bill carried by a representative), was described by the sponsor as a measure that originally included language about freestanding birthing centers and three newborn screening tests; two of those tests were removed in the Senate substitute that passed before the bill reached the House committee.

Why it matters: Witnesses told the committee the change affects access to care in rural counties that lack hospital obstetrics. Supporters said midwives frequently provide postpartum and newborn screening services where hospitals are distant; opponents — including pediatric and hospital representatives — said the clinical interpretation of results and follow-up care should remain in a medical-home setting.

Supporters and rural access Aaron Crawford, president of the Alabama Birth Coalition, framed the change as an access and lifesaving issue: "58000 babies are born in Alabama yearly. 290 of that 58000, or 1 in 200, face silent killers,…