During the first year of life, pediatricians track vital growth milestones and conduct routine exams for eye problems, ear problems, heart issues and breathing trouble.
eggeeggjiew/iStockphoto/Getty Images
The birthright citizenship case in front of the US Supreme Court is about much more than just citizenship. It’s also about an issue that was little discussed in court arguments: babies’ immediate access to safety net programs and medical tests that need to be done within the first couple days of life.
For newborns, there’s typically a test for jaundice, pulse oximetry for heart defects and a heel prick that checks for rare but serious conditions that all can result in permanent brain damage if not addressed right away. Even during the high court arguments in April, advocates for children worried that these impacts were being overlooked.
“It was unbelievable, listening to the arguments,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus on Children, a bipartisan children’s public policy organization. “I was screaming at the television.
Please click here for the rest of the article.