Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act

Syphilis cases are rising in the U.S., and more babies are being born with congenital syphilis. This can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, or lifelong health problems. Many cases could be prevented with timely testing and treatment during pregnancy, including extra testing in the third trimester and at delivery. States have different rules, and many do not require these later tests.

This bill tells the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance within one year to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Indian health programs. The guidance would share best practices to expand screening for pregnant women and babies, educate providers and patients, use telehealth (with interpreters and resources in multiple languages), increase testing late in pregnancy and at delivery, and improve treatment. A public report on how these steps are working would be due two years after the law takes effect.

• Who is affected: Pregnant women, newborns, families on Medicaid/CHIP, and people served by Indian health programs.
• What changes: Clear, nationwide guidance to boost testing, education, telehealth support, and treatment for syphilis in pregnancy and newborns.
• When: Guidance within 12 months; a public progress report within 2 years of enactment.