Court of Appeals rules Michigan Newborn Screening Program constitutional

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed that Michigan’s Newborn Screening Program was constitutional, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

The decision reversed a lower-court ruling that found the program violated the constitutional rights of parents to direct their child’s medical care.

The Newborn Screening Program collects blood cells from newborns and analyzes them for potential diseases, which Nessel says saves lives through early detection.

“The Newborn Screening Program saves lives,” Nessel said. “I want to thank the Court for its decision and the dedicated attorneys in my office who litigated this case for years to ensure Michigan can continue early detection of serious diseases while also advancing medical research through privacy-protected de-identified data.”

The ruling affirmed the program’s practices, saying the analysis of de-identified blood does not violate any constitutional protections.

“With this ruling, MDHHS can continue to fulfill its commitment to protect the health and well-being of Michigan families, particularly its youngest and most vulnerable residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Michigan’s newborn screening program is designed to quickly diagnose babies who may look healthy but have rare and often serious disorders that require early treatment. Since 1965, this program has ensured thousands of families were quickly provided information about their baby’s condition, allowing for early interventions and healthier outcomes.”

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