Spanish Congress approves neonatal screening reform with funding tied to budget

The Spanish Congress has definitively approved a law to harmonise neonatal screening (the 'heel prick test') across all autonomous communities, but the final version includes a PP amendment linking future funding to the annual state budget. The bill passed with 185 votes in favour, none against, and either 163 Source: El Confidencial or 166 Source: Infobae abstentions.

What the law changes

The legislation aims to guarantee that all newborns receive the same screening for rare diseases, regardless of where they live. Currently the national health system covers 21 diseases, but some regions test for up to 43. The law mandates annual scientific updates to the common portfolio, without allowing removal of existing tests unless evidence changes Source: Infobae. Within 12 months the government must update the Framework Document for Population Screening.

Funding dispute

The PP defended its amendment as necessary to "guarantee the fulfilment of the obligations of the public administrations" Source: El Confidencial. However, the PSOE called the amendment a "simple trampantojo without substance", noting that financial viability was already ensured by the Law on Cohesion and Quality of the SNS, originally promoted by a PP minister Source: Infobae. Sumar's Rafael Cofiño argued the amendment "does not set a minimum amount, does not establish an economic report, does not define distribution between communities, does not create a specific budget line, and does not regulate finalist transfers" Source: El Confidencial.

Patient associations such as FEDER and Más Visibles welcomed the law from the chamber gallery .