This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states within 12 months on how to improve syphilis screening and treatment for pregnant women and newborns under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The legislation addresses a significant public health crisis, as congenital syphilis cases have surged more than tenfold since 2012, with over 3,700 cases documented in newborns in 2022, which can cause miscarriage, infant death, and lifelong disabilities if untreated. The guidance will cover best practices including expanding syphilis screening access, educating healthcare providers and patients, integrating telehealth services, increasing third-trimester and delivery testing, and improving treatment options, with the goal that timely testing and treatment could prevent nearly 90 percent of congenital syphilis cases. The Secretary must also submit a report to Congress within two years analyzing how states have implemented these best practices. The bill does not appropriate specific funding but directs federal health officials to help states use existing Medicaid and CHIP authorities and flexibilities to strengthen their prevention efforts.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.