R. Rodney Howell, M.D.
Chairperson, Advisory Committee on
      Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children
Professor of Pediatrics
Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami
Miami, Florida

Dear Dr. Howell:

Thank you for your March 30, 2009 letter detailing the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children’s (the Committee) progress in their evidence review deliberations to update the recommended uniform screening panel.  I appreciate the thoughtful deliberations that the Committee is making to advance newborn screening programs based on a systematic approach to national health policy and the best available scientific evidence.

Please accept my personal thanks to you, the members and the organizational representatives of the Committee for your valuable work to improve the health of our Nation’s infants and children.  I look forward to our continued work together on this important issue.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Kathleen Sebelius