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State legislators and outgoing Gov. Tom Wolfe have made testing children for lead a priority.
At this session, Congress and incoming Gov. Josh Shapiro should make major tests for children a requirement.
Wolfe signed Act 150 on November 3, encouraging doctors to test pregnant women and children up to two years of age who may have been exposed to lead. That’s a good start, but it’s a far cry from the bill Sen, Lisa Baker, and R-Lucerne had in mind when they introduced Senate Bill 522, which Baker proposed. Senators change the wording of the bill, stating that doctors must make reasonable efforts to test children for lead by the time they are 2 years old, and pass the weakened bill in an internal vote. The State House of Representatives has since removed language requiring lead testing, stating that physicians must consider whether a child or mother has been exposed to lead and decide whether to recommend testing. replaced with
No wonder Baker is asking senators to co-fund a new lead test bill.
“Research shows that universal lead testing is a practical and effective protective measure to reduce cases of lead poisoning. With one test, we aim to ensure that all children and pregnant women have known and proven risk factors identified by health professionals.” Baker wrote in her co-sponsorship memorandum.
Baker is right. A universal lead test can go a long way in protecting children from serious developmental problems. Her new bill should pass Congress this year without messing with last year’s legislation.
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