H.R. 3866 — Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act

This section states congressional findings concerning the rise in syphilis cases to 209,253 in 2023 (an 80% increase since 2018 and the highest since 1950); health risks of untreated syphilis (e.g., heart and brain damage, blindness, deafness, paralysis); the increase in congenital syphilis to 3,882 cases (a 3% rise from 2022, over 10 times the 2012 level, resulting in 252 stillbirths and 27 infant deaths); risks of congenital syphilis from maternal transmission (e.g., miscarriage, neonatal death, meningitis, anemia, developmental delays); the potential to prevent nearly 90% of congenital syphilis cases through timely prenatal testing and treatment; variations in state screening requirements for pregnant women (with most states requiring screening only at the first visit and fewer in the third trimester or at delivery); benefits of third-trimester and delivery screening for earlier detection; and the need for increased awareness and education.

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, not later than 12 months after enactment, to issue guidance to state Medicaid and CHIP agencies, the Indian Health Service, Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations on best practices—using section 1115 waivers of the Social Security Act (SSA) and authorities under SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (CHIP)—to (1) improve access to syphilis screening for pregnant women and babies; (2) educate medical professionals and pregnant women on syphilis; (3) integrate telehealth services and training, including interpreters and multilingual resources on congenital syphilis; (4) increase syphilis testing in the third trimester and at delivery; and (5) improve treatment for syphilis and congenital syphilis. This section defines key terms, including by reference to section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603). This section further requires the Secretary to submit to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Senate Finance Committee—and make publicly available—not later than two years after enactment a report analyzing implementation of these best practices.