MATSUI AND GUTHRIE APPLAUD SIGNING OF BILL TO REAUTHORIZE NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM INTO LAW
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) applauded President Biden for signing the bipartisan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2022 into law.
Earlier this month, the House passed S.4052, the Senate companion to Matsui and Guthrie’s legislation H.R. 5561, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021.
“The first years of life are foundational for a child’s development, which is why early detection and intervention for hearing is so critical,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act gives families access to newborn hearing screenings and ensures that those diagnosed can access appropriate follow up care and timely intervention services. Now that President Biden has signed our legislation into law, the early detection and intervention program can continue to improve health outcomes for newborns and young children across the country.”
“I’m thrilled the newborn hearing screening and intervention program will be extended for five more years,” said Congressman Guthrie. “Thanks to this program, newborns are screened for hearing loss, and this early detection allows parents and health care providers to intervene early with the help of this program to ensure children have the effective support needed to help reach their full potential. I would like to thank Congresswoman Matsui for working with me on this bill in the House and U.S. Senators Portman, Hassan, Cassidy, and Hickenlooper for their leadership in the Senate to ensure this vital program can continue to help children with hearing loss thrive.”
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act reauthorizes the program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children. This program started in 1999, and the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act funds the program through fiscal year 2027.
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