Sixth Circuit Upholds Michigan Newborn Blood Screening Program Constitutionality

The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Michigan's Newborn Screening Program is constitutional, overturning a lower court's decision that had found the program violated parents' constitutional rights regarding medical privacy and control over their children's medical care. The program collects blood samples from newborns to screen for over 50 serious disorders, aiming for early detection and intervention to improve health outcomes. The court emphasized that the storage and use of de-identified blood samples for quality improvement and research do not constitute medical care and do not violate privacy rights because the samples cannot be traced back to individuals. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and MDHHS highlighted the public health benefits of the program, which has been in place since 1965 and saves lives by enabling early diagnosis of rare diseases. Although parents challenging the program intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the appeals court ruling allows the state to continue its research efforts and maintain the newborn screening program. MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel expressed that the decision helps protect the health of Michigan families, especially its most vulnerable residents.