State legislation signed into law last year requires the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to establish a program to screen newborns for hearing impairments. Although the legislation indicated an effective date of April 1, 2000, the program is still being developed. Prior to the effective date, DOH must establish a reimbursement mechanism for health care providers performing the hearing tests, as required by the legislation, and must develop clinical guidelines and protocols for detecting hearing impairments. DOH expects full implementation by the fall of 2000.

GNYHA has been participating in an ad hoc DOH workgroup on developing the clinical guidelines and protocols needed to implement the legislation. At the first workgroup meeting on May 12, DOH proposed that the initial hearing screening be done in the hospital prior to the newborn's discharge. If follow-up is needed, additional screening would be done on an outpatient basis. Reporting data to DOH, reimbursement mechanisms, and hospital follow-up responsibilities were identified as subjects for future discussion.