Kidd's Stuttering Act

Full Title:
Kidd’s Stuttering Act

Summary#

This bill, called the Kidd's Stuttering Act, would change parts of the Social Security Act to add screening and coverage for childhood-onset fluency disorders (including stuttering). It directs the Secretary to add a core quality measure for screening children ages 2 through 5 by January 1, 2026. It requires that, starting January 1, 2027, Medicaid well-child visits include screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders for children age 2 up to age 6. It also requires Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover specified speech therapy services for treating childhood-onset fluency disorders beginning January 1, 2027. The bill defines “specified speech therapy services” to include services for stuttering and to allow delivery by real-time audio and video telecommunication. It also requires treatment limits for these services under Medicaid to be no more restrictive than limits for other speech therapy conditions.

What it means for you#

  • Children ages 2 through 5 who are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP would be included in new screening measures for stuttering and other childhood-onset fluency disorders.
  • Medicaid well-child visits would be required to include screening for fluency disorders for children who have attained age 2 and have not attained age 6, starting January 1, 2027.
  • Medicaid and CHIP must cover speech therapy services for childhood-onset fluency disorders starting January 1, 2027. These services may be provided by real-time telehealth (audio and video).
  • State Medicaid programs would need to ensure treatment limits for these fluency disorder services are not stricter than those for other speech therapy services listed in the State plan.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on federal or state costs or budget effects is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on proponents' public statements or detailed views is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' public statements or detailed views is included in the bill text or provided metadata.