Katko: Every child deserves timely lead screening

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on May 25 sponsored a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require a state child health plan to include coverage for screening blood lead tests.

“Lead poisoning can have a devastating impact on the health and cognitive development of children in our community,” Rep. Katko said. “Early detection is critical to preventing the long-term impacts of lead exposure.”

The Preventing Lead Poisoning Act, H.R. 3511, which Rep. Katko introduced with five original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and David Ciccilline (D-RI), would expand testing for lead exposure among children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) also on May 25 introduced the companion bill, S. 1826, in their chamber.

Rep. Katko said the bill aims to help ensure that every at-risk child receives timely lead screening and appropriate care. “This bipartisan bill is a critical step forward in reducing the number of children in our community impacted by the devastating effects of lead poisoning,” he said.

Currently, Medicaid relies on guidance that all children enrolled in the program must receive a lead screening test at 12 months and 24 months, and between the ages of 24 months and 72 months if not previously tested, according to information provided by Rep. Katko’s office, which noted that the measure would codify the guidance into law and expand the requirements to include children enrolled in CHIP.

The proposed bill also would direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish data collection best practices for childhood blood level testing and would authorize $10 million in federal funding over two years for state health departments to implement such practices, according to the information.

Syracuse, N.Y., Mayor Ben Walsh and Kerry Quaglia, Home HeadQuarters’ chief executive officer, endorsed the bill, according to Rep. Katko’s office.

“Lead poisoning is an insidious threat to our children and our community,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, Syracuse had the nation’s highest percentage of children with lead poisoning between 2009 and 2015.