WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan Kidd’s Stuttering Act to improve early identification and treatment for children who stutter in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
An estimated one in twenty American children stutter, beginning between the ages of two and five. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes, yet many children are never screened or diagnosed, and access to speech therapy under Medicaid and CHIP can be inconsistent for different speech disorders.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “No child should fall behind because a treatable speech disorder goes undiagnosed. This bipartisan bill will help more children find their voices and reach their full potential.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.): “I’ve been moved by Michael’s continued advocacy on behalf of children across our country who stutter and so many who go without the diagnosis and support they need. Our kids are looking to us to be their voice in Congress – let’s show up for them with this bill and get them the care they need for lifelong success.”
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Former NBA Player: “There has been a negative social stigma around stuttering for as long as I can remember,” said Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Stuttering Advocate and NBA Veteran. “I’m thankful to Senator Banks and Senator Kim for working to change that and improve access to the care and support children and families deserve.”
Key Provisions of the Kidd’s Stuttering Act:
- Directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to add stuttering and fluency screening measures to the Children’s Core Set of pediatric health quality measures.
- Requires stuttering screenings during Medicaid well-child visits for children ages two to six.
- Requires Medicaid and CHIP to cover speech therapy for stuttering at no less than the level provided for other speech fluency disorders.
Background:
Stuttering affects approximately one in twenty American children, and childhood onset stuttering most often begins between the ages of two and five. While many children recover with timely intervention, roughly twenty percent continue to stutter into adulthood. Research shows that early speech therapy significantly improves the likelihood of recovery, making prompt diagnosis and treatment critical.
Despite the benefits of early intervention, many children are never screened for stuttering during routine health visits, and access to speech therapy under Medicaid and CHIP varies widely by state. The Kidd’s Stuttering Act establishes consistent screening standards for young children and ensures families enrolled in these programs have access to medically necessary speech therapy.
The legislation was inspired by the personal advocacy of former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who has spoken publicly about his lifelong experience with stuttering and championed state-level policy efforts to expand access to speech therapy. Separately and through his nonprofit, Change & Impact, Kidd-Gilchrist has helped advance awareness and education for the stuttering community.
