A national folic acid education program to prevent birth defects would receive $20 mil. in FY 2000 funding and annual sums "as may be necessary" in fiscal 2001 through 2004 under a bill introduced in the House July 15.

The Folic Acid Promotion & Birth Defects Prevention Act (HR 2538), introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and 102 bipartisan cosponsors, would require the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to "provide education and training for health professionals and the general public" on folic acid's benefits in preventing neural tube birth defects (NTBDs).

Education efforts would encourage women "of reproductive capacity...to consume on a daily basis a dietary supplement that provides an appropriate level of folic acid." HR 2538 was referred to the House Commerce Committee. A Senate version is expected to be sponsored by Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.).

CDC would be required to conduct research to "increase the understanding of the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects" and identify "effective strategies for increasing the rate of consumption of folic acid by women of reproductive capacity."

CDC would consult with the states and "other appropriate public or private entities, including national nonprofit private organizations, health professionals, and providers of health insurance and health plans."

"This bill will provide men and women with the critical information needed when planning to have a child," Roybal-Allard said. "The research speaks for itself: folic acid helps prevent birth defects. It is our responsibility...to get the word out." The bill cites figures that up to 70% of NTBDs could be prevented by consuming 400 mcg of folic acid per day.

The March of Dimes launched a $10 mil. folic acid education campaign in October, and CDC runs a national folic acid task force ("The Tan Sheet" Aug. 31, 1998, p. 8).

Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), an expected cosponsor of the Senate bill, introduced the Birth Defects Prevention Act last session, which President Clinton signed into law April 21, 1998 ("The Tan Sheet" March 16, 1998, p. 20). Although the law mentions folic acid-containing supplements, the focus was on general birth defects research.

Folic Acid Awareness Campaign Supported By $20 Mil. Proposed In House Bill

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