Currently, the risk of a child being born within The Commonwealth and going undiagnosed is too great.  With an estimated 105,000 births per year in the state, there is an estimated 2 to 3 children per year that will likely be born with SCID. The chances of death are much higher for children who go undiagnosed until they present with life threatening illness.  Survival rates drop from 94% to 75% for those with a late diagnosis.  The cost to insurance or Medicaid to treat one late diagnosed child can run into the millions.  This measure not only saves lives, but is cost effective as well.  This action should be approved and enacted in the quickest manner possible.

Barb Ballard