Kidd’s Stuttering Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6364
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Kidd's Stuttering Act" (H.R. 6364) aims to improve early detection and treatment of childhood-onset fluency disorders, such as stuttering, by updating federal health programs. It requires screening for these disorders in young children and ensures coverage for related speech therapy under Medicaid (a joint federal-state program providing health coverage to low-income individuals) and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers uninsured children in low-income families).
Key Provisions
- Screening Requirements:
- Adds measures for screening childhood-onset fluency disorders (including stuttering) to the national core set of child health quality measures, effective no later than January 1, 2026. These screenings target children aged 2 to under 6.
- Mandates that Medicaid well-child visits (routine check-ups for preventive care) include screening for these disorders starting January 1, 2027, for the same age group.
- Coverage for Speech Therapy:
- Requires Medicaid to cover "specified speech therapy services" for treating childhood-onset fluency disorders starting January 1, 2027. These services include therapy delivered via real-time audio and video telecommunications (telehealth).
- Ensures that limits on these therapy services (e.g., number of sessions or duration) are no more restrictive than those for other speech disorders, like expressive or receptive language disorders.
- Extends the same coverage and parity requirements (equal treatment in limitations) to CHIP, also starting January 1, 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Social Security Act (Titles XI, XIX, and XXI) to incorporate stuttering and fluency screenings into existing child health quality standards and Medicaid preventive services.
- Introduces new mandatory benefits for speech therapy under Medicaid and CHIP, expanding covered services beyond current speech therapy for other disorders.
- Aligns CHIP benefits with Medicaid by referencing the new Medicaid provisions, ensuring consistency between the programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must update quality measures and guidelines by specified dates, potentially increasing administrative workload for federal and state agencies managing Medicaid and CHIP. States may face higher costs for screenings and therapy, though federal funding shares these expenses.
- On Citizens: Improves access to early screening and therapy for low-income children aged 2-6 with fluency disorders, potentially leading to better developmental outcomes and reduced long-term health issues. Families could benefit from telehealth options, making services more accessible in rural or underserved areas.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Children and Families: Primarily low-income children aged 2-6 at risk for or experiencing stuttering/fluency disorders, and their caregivers, who gain mandated screenings and therapy coverage.
- Healthcare Providers: Speech-language pathologists and pediatricians involved in well-child visits and therapy delivery, including via telehealth.
- Government Entities: Federal HHS for oversight and updates; state Medicaid and CHIP programs for implementation and funding.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations supporting children's health and speech disorders may benefit from increased awareness and resources.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens preventive care mandates under Medicaid and CHIP without altering eligibility rules, fitting within existing frameworks for essential health benefits. The inclusion of telehealth aligns with recent expansions in remote care post-COVID-19.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; Congress has authority under the Spending Clause to condition federal funds on state compliance with health program requirements.
- Political: Promotes equity in pediatric care by addressing a specific developmental disorder, potentially setting a precedent for mandating screenings for other underrecognized conditions. As a targeted amendment, it could garner bipartisan support focused on child welfare.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-12-02: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Kidd’s Stuttering Act — issued 2025-12-02 — PDF (6 pages)