Spain's Congress approves financing amendment for neonatal screening program

The Spanish Congress gave final approval to a proposal amending the neonatal screening program of the National Health System. The amendment, inserted by the Popular Party during Senate deliberations, was passed with 185 votes in favor, no votes against and 163 abstentions. It dictates that the programme's financing will be set each year through the State General Budget, ensuring that public administrations meet their obligations and that the service is uniformly available across the country.

Supporters argue the change will boost equity, territorial cohesion and the capacity of the health system to provide equal diagnostic and treatment opportunities for all newborns. Critics from the Sumar parliamentary group warned that the amendment does not specify a minimum funding amount, lacks an economic memorandum, and fails to define allocation criteria among autonomous regions.