New Iowa bill may change how child deaths are documented
By KWWL
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KWWL) — Changes could be coming to how medical examiners document child deaths under a new bill advancing at the statehouse. House File 20-97 focuses on how the state medical examiner records vaccine information when a child dies from unknown causes.
The bill would require medical examiners to document the date and other details about the last immunization given. Supporters believe this change will provide important information that could protect other children.
“The US continues to have higher SIDS rates compared to other industrialized nations so I just think it’s time we start gathering data and information,” Rep. Samantha Fett of Warren County said.
A representative from Blank Children’s Hospital expressed questions about the bill. They noted that the child death review process is already very extensive when there is an unexplained death, and the hospital remains undecided on whether to support the bill.
Critics fear the bill could lead to more vaccine hesitancy. “What is the harm? The harm is talking about this bill, giving it a hearing in the Iowa House of Representatives, let alone passing it, gives the signal to Iowans out there that vaccines are dangerous,” Dr. Austen Baeth of Polk County said.
A medical examiner from Wright County testified that there are approximately 30 child deaths each year due to unknown circumstances.
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