 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
newborn screening program; fee
Purpose
Increases, from $36 to $117, the fee for operating the Newborn Screening Program (Program). Contains requirements for enactment and becomes effective on signature of the Governor (Proposition 108).
Background
The Program was established to ensure that testing
for congenital disorders and reporting of hearing test results for newborns is
conducted in an effective and efficient manner. Additionally, the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory currently
screens every newborn in Arizona for 31 different conditions including
sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, hearing loss and congenital heart defects.
According to the Department of Health Services (DHS), the Program in its
current form consists of two separate screenings in which a separate fee is
charged. The first specimen is collected at the hospital, with the fee billed
to the hospital and the second specimen is collected during the infant’s first
visit to their health care provider, with the fee billed to the specimen
submitter. The first fee caps at $36 and the second fee, established in rule,
is $65 for a total Program fee of $101 (A.R.S.
§ 36-694 and A.A.C. R9-13-208).
S.B. 1571 may increase newborn screening fee monies collected by DHS in FY 21. The fees collected for the Program are placed into the Newborn Screening Program Fund and used for the operation of the Program (A.R.S. § 36-694.01).
Provisions
1. Increases, from $36 to $117, the limit for the Program fee that the Director is authorized to establish by rule, and eliminates language specifying the fee is for the first specimen and hearing test.
2. Requires for enactment the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the Legislature (Proposition 108).
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2020
CRS/KS/gs