I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8839 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 26, 2024 Ms. Caraveo (for herself, Mr. Ciscomani , Ms. Norton , Ms. Clarke of New York , Mr. Carson , and Mr. Cohen ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) In 2022, there were 207,255 total syphilis cases in the United States, representing an 80 percent increase since 2018 and continuing a decades-long upward trend. (2) Untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the heart and brain and can cause blindness, deafness, and paralysis. (3) The increased rise in syphilis cases is causing the rise in congenital syphilis with more than 3,700 cases documented among newborns in 2022, more than 10 times the number diagnosed in 2012. (4) When transmitted during pregnancy, congenital syphilis can cause miscarriage, lifelong medical issues, and infant death. Congenital syphilis can present health issues for babies at birth, including neonatal death, meningitis, anemia, and problems with the spleen and liver. If not treated, congenital syphilis can cause bone and joint problems, vision and hearing problems, issues with the nervous system, and developmental delays. (5) High incidence rates of congenital syphilis are often due to lack of timely testing or inadequate treatment during pregnancy. Timely syphilis testing and treatment during pregnancy might be able to prevent almost 90 percent of congenital syphilis cases. (6) Requirements for syphilis screening among pregnant women varies by State. The majority of States require syphilis screening in the first visit, significantly less States require syphilis screenings during the third trimester or at delivery. (7) Screening during the third trimester and at delivery can lead to earlier detection of congenital syphilis and prevent adverse health outcomes for mothers and newborn infants. (8) Increased awareness and education are critical in reducing syphilis among pregnant women to prevent congenital syphilis. 3. Guidance to States and technical assistance under Medicaid and CHIP (a) In general Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidance to State Medicaid agencies on best practices with respect to actions that States may take, including by using waivers under section 1115 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315 ) and authorities under title XIX of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) and title XXI of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. ), for the following purposes: (1) Improving access to expand syphilis screening for pregnant women and babies. (2) Best practices for educating medical professionals and pregnant women with respect to syphilis. (3) Strategies for integrating telehealth services and training for providers and patients on the use of telehealth, including working with interpreters to furnish health services and providing resources with respect to congenital syphilis in multiple languages. (4) Best practices for increasing testing for syphilis in the third trimester and at delivery. (5) Improving treatment for syphilis and congenital syphilis. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Medicaid The term Medicaid means the program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ). (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (3) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1) ) for purposes of titles XIX and XXI of such Act. (c) Report to Congress Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, and shall make publicly available, a report analyzing the implementation by States of the best practices described in subsection (a).