Significant strides have been made on the state level for advancing legislation for critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) screening recently. Since 2012, 30 states have adopted CCHD screening laws and 39 states will have laws requiring newborn screening for CCHD using the pulse oximetry test by July 1. Last week, after a four year battle, the Pennsylvania General Assembly sent legislation to the governor after a unanimous vote in the Senate. In Montana, a CCHD/pulse oximetry requirement was finalized by regulation on June 5. Finally, the Washington Department of Health recently held a hearing on whether the state should adopt CCHD screening. In each instance, the local chapter and ACC National partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association and volunteers testified and met personally with elected officials.

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