Kidd’s Stuttering Act

Key Points

• The bill requires Medicaid and CHIP to add screening for stuttering and other childhood speech fluency disorders for children ages 2 to 6, starting with updated federal guidance by 2028 and required screening at well-child visits by 2029.
• Starting January 1, 2029, Medicaid and CHIP must cover speech therapy for stuttering and related fluency disorders for anyone under 21, plus certain low-income adults, ending a gap where families often had to pay out of pocket.
• States cannot impose stricter limits on stuttering therapy than they apply to therapy for other speech and language disorders, so if a state Medicaid plan covers language delay therapy generously, it must do the same for stuttering.
• The required speech therapy benefit can be delivered through live video and audio telehealth, making it easier for families in rural or underserved areas to access a speech specialist.