Senator Dodd Conducts Hearing on Newborn Screening

June 14, 2002


Senator Dodd with a photo of Jonathan Sweeney,
a Connecticut child affected by inadequate testing.

Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, held a hearing entitled "Newborn Screening: Increasing Options and Awareness."

The hearing examined tremendous state disparities in screening for genetic and metabolic disorders in newborns, the impact on public health, and the federal role in helping states utilize screening as a tool to improve the health and well-being of newborns.

Dodd is working on legislation which will supplement ongoing efforts to establish national recommendations; provide federal dollars for education, outreach and follow up care to families; and provide information and training for health care professionals.

The subcommittee heard from Jill Wood, a mother whose infant could have been saved if newborn screening had occurred, children's health experts, and an Administration representative.

Witnesses testifying at the hearing were:

  • Peter van Dyck, M.S., M.D., M.P.H., Associate Administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services;
  • Jill Wood, Parent, Alexandria, Virginia;
  • Jeffrey Botkin, M.D., M.P.H, Pediatrician, Primary Children's Medical Center, Adjunct Professor of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine;
  • Scott Rivkees, M.D., Member, Connecticut Genetics Advisory Committee, Pediatrician, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine;
  • Brad Therrell, M.S., Ph.D., Director, National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center.

Learn More: Read Dodd's statement
Multimedia: Dodd audioListen to portions of the hearing.


Witnesses Jill Wood, Dr. Jeffrey Botkin, Dr. Scott Rivkees, and Dr. Brad Therrell.


Dodd speaks with Jill Wood and her husband.


Dr. Scott Rivkees of Yale University testifies.