CBA Florida Inc. (fka CBAI)

[dianebRN]

It would be nice if that was the surprise but the reality is that when states mandate a test newborn screening, they generally don't do so until they have locked in a method to capture some of the spin down revenue. Times are tough, ya know and if it is mandated, medicaid & insurance companies have to pay.

Maybe this is also the prize Matt is going after:

State Mandated Screening
"Each state manages a metabolic screening program whereby it mandates the testing of certain disorders for all newborns. PerkinElmer Genetics is proud to provide state mandated testing for newborns in Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. In certain states other laboratories may also provide this testing."

What generally happens is the state makes a contract with a commercial agency such as Sunquest (only an example of a private lab service) and then mandates it so they can capture some revenue. The state of the art is the 28+ test. Perkin Elmer does not appear to promote the whole spectrum from the link you provided, only the basic core all states require. I'm sure they could provide the whole gamut. The most recent reference I could find quickly was the 2005 March of Dimes reference but don't think much has changed in newborn expanded testing since then. That was a red letter year when a mother from Texas really promoted the cause based on a missed diagnosis with her child.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/illinois/45737_13231.asp

Unfortunately, the only way there appears to be a way to make any significant money on the NB testing is the massive volumes involved in handling all specimens within a state through one provider. Like the Sam's Club approach. So I suppose it is feasible that HCA could negotiate to be in that role but not sure that it would have huge value added for them. States are looking for the cheapest bid to provide accurate results, generally not the forte of a for profit hospital.
AIMHO of course.