Texas to consider legislation to make CF screening mandatory

Dear Advocate,

Texas is about to consider legislation to make newborn screening for cystic fibrosis mandatory in the state. Currently, not all babies in Texas are screened for the disease.
Tell your elected officials in Austin to screen all newborns for CF.

Newborn screening gives people with CF a better chance at a longer life and improved health. Some children with CF do not display symptoms for a couple of years. Newborn screening identifies the diagnosis earlier and allows doctors to start treatment immediately.

Those who receive treatment early on tend to have improved height, weight, cognitive and lung functioning, fewer hospitalizations and an increased lifespan.

Texas has the fourth largest population of people with cystic fibrosis in the U.S.; however, it is one of only two states that have not made screening mandatory for every newborn.

Help ensure that every baby born in Texas is screened for cystic fibrosis by writing your elected officials in Austin now.

Thank you for your support
Mary B. Dwight Vice President for Government Affairs
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814(800)

FIGHT CFE-mail: publicpolicy@cff.org

Web: www.cff.org/GetInvolved/Advocate