LINCOLN — Lawmakers advanced a proposal Monday designed to expand syphilis blood testing for expectant mothers to stem a rising tide of maternal and congenital syphilis.

Legislative Bill 41, from State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, would expand blood testing requirements for pregnant women to include two additional tests for syphilis. A test is already required at each woman’s first prenatal examination. Riepe’s bill would add a third trimester examination and a test at birth.

Riepe said the state has seen a sharp increase in syphilis infections, particularly among women and newborns. Since 2017, overall syphilis cases have risen nearly 400%, but the increase is sharper for women and congenital syphilis for infants at birth, at a 1,100% increase each.

“These numbers represent real families impacted by their very first preventable disease,” Riepe said.

Congenital syphilis, or CS, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight or death shortly after birth, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Babies born with CS might have deformed bones, severe anemia, enlarged liver or spleen, jaundice, brain or nerve problems (like blindness or deafness), meningitis or skin rashes.

Riepe, a former hospital administrator, said his proposed screenings align with national best practices, as recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.

The bill, as amended Monday, would require all pregnant women to be informed “in clear and understandable language” about the test and clarify that women can opt out of such testing.

“This ensures that while we strengthen public health protections, we also respect personal autonomy in medical decision-making,” Riepe said.

Expectant mothers are also screened at least once during pregnancy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) unless they opt-out. The amended bill would similarly require that testing information be given “in clear and understandable language” for HIV screening.

State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, who runs and founded the reproductive-focused nonprofit I Be Black Girl, asked that Riepe be open to requiring the information be explained in writing because sometimes when someone is pregnant they’re navigating so many appointments and tests that it’s not always clear what tests the person is getting or why they are getting them.

“I just want to make sure that it’s not lost in communication,” Spivey said.

Riepe said he would be open to the change.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, the previous Health and Human Services Committee chair, supported the bill. He again voiced opposition to mandatory newborn health screenings shortly after birth, which he is seeking to make voluntary this year. He said he appreciated that sentiment in Riepe’s bill.

“When we start mandating medical procedures,” Hansen said, “we’re going down a pretty dangerous road.”

The bill advanced 46-0.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lawmakers-advance-bill-for-expanded-...