Adding SCID to the panel of newborn screening in Virginia is not only the smart thing to do from the perspective of catching the disease before it is a problem. Studies have shown that by doing this, costs incurred by the health care system (including Medicaid) decrease substantially. Babies born with SCID have a much better chance of not only surviving, but being cured when the disorder is caught early.

I urge the Virginia Department of Health to add SCID screening to the panel. Thank you.