HCS/HBs 600 & 388 - This act enables the Department of Health to require the testing of every infant born in the state for phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic or genetic diseases prescribed by the Department. The attending physician, certified nurse midwife, public health facility, ambulatory surgical center or hospital shall assure that appropriate specimens are collected and submitted to the Department of Health laboratories.

The act also provides that the Department of Health shall supply all physicians, certified nurse midwives, public health facilities, and administrators of ambulatory surgical centers or hospitals a written packet of educational information for parents or guardians informing them of the type of specimens obtained, how it is obtained, the nature of the diseases being screened and the consequences of treatment and nontreatment. The attending physician, certified nurse midwife, public health facility, ambulatory surgical center or hospital shall obtain the written refusal and make it part of the medical record.

The Department may determine and impose a reasonable fee for each newborn screening test made in its laboratories. The Department may collect the fee from either physicians, certified nurse midwives, public health nurses, or administrators of ambulatory surgical centers or hospitals. Fees may be considered as costs payable by health care third party payers.

The Department, subject to appropriations, shall provide the formula used for the treatment of inherited diseases of amino acids and organic acids to families who meet the Department's income based means test. State assistance shall be available to an applicant upon a showing that such applicant has exhausted all benefits from third party payers.

The act also provides that all health insurers and health maintenances organizations shall provide coverage for the formula recommended by a physician for the treatment of a patient with phenylketonuria or any inherited disease of amino and organic acids. Copayments and deductibles shall be the same as for other types of coverage.

Any rule or portion of a rule shall become effective only as provided pursuant Chapter 536, RSMo after effective date of this act. The provisions of this act are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the General Assembly are held unconstitutional or invalid, the purported grant of rulemaking authority shall be invalid and void.

This act is the similar as SCS/SB 319 from 1997.
CHERYL GRAZIER