LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL FOR EXPANDED SYPHILIS BLOOD TESTING FOR EXPECTANT NEBRASKA MOTHERS

LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL FOR EXPANDED SYPHILIS BLOOD TESTING FOR EXPECTANT NEBRASKA MOTHERS

LINCOLN — Lawmakers advanced a proposal Monday designed to expand syphilis blood testing for expectant mothers to stem a rising tide of maternal and congenital syphilis. Legislative Bill 41, from State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, would expand blood testing requirements for pregnant women to include two additional tests for syphilis. A test is already required at each woman’s first prenatal examination. Riepe’s bill would add a third-trimester examination and a test at birth.

Riepe said the state has seen a sharp increase in syphilis infections, particularly among women and newborns. Since 2017, overall syphilis cases have risen nearly 400%, but the increase is sharper for women and congenital syphilis for infants at birth, at a 1,100% increase each. “These numbers represent real families impacted by their very first preventable disease,” Riepe said.

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