Former NBA Forward Michael Kidd‑Gilchrist Backs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Early Stuttering Screening and Coverage for Young Children

Former NBA forward Michael Kidd‑Gilchrist has partnered with Rep. Addison McDowell (R‑N.C.) and Rep. Shomari Figures (D‑Ala.) to introduce the "Kidd's Stuttering Act," a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding early detection and treatment access for young children who may develop a stuttering disorder.

The legislation would require stuttering and fluency screening for children ages 2–6 during Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) well‑child visits and would mandate coverage of speech therapy services related to stuttering under both programs. The measure also directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to add stuttering and fluency screening measures to the agency’s Child Core Set of health care quality measures, which helps track care delivery across states.

Why advocates support the bill

Supporters say early identification and treatment can substantially improve outcomes. Data cited by advocates—including figures from the Stuttering Foundation—indicate roughly 5% of children experience a period of stuttering lasting six months or longer; about three‑quarters of those children recover by late childhood. That leaves an estimated 1% of the population, or roughly 3 million people in the U.S., with a persistent stuttering disorder. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health estimate approximately 70 million adults worldwide live with a stuttering disorder.

Voices backing the proposal

"This bill makes early stuttering detection available to kids on Medicaid and CHIP, giving us a real chance to identify these issues early on for thousands of children across the country. A 4‑year‑old has a much better chance of recovery when we identify it early," Rep. Addison McDowell said.

"I am grateful for the chance to support this important work as we push to make early screenings and therapy available to every child that stutters," Kidd‑Gilchrist said. "Families should not have to fight for basic care that helps to make a difference in their child’s future."

"We know that early intervention can make all the difference in a child's speech development, their confidence and their overall well‑being. This legislation is an important step in providing families with the support and medical coverage they need and deserve," Rep. Shomari Figures added.

Background and next steps

After retiring from professional basketball, Kidd‑Gilchrist founded the nonprofit Change & Impact Inc., focusing on advocacy for people who stutter and improving access to care. He has supported state‑level legislation in places such as Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Nevada, and now aims to secure similar protections at the federal level.

If advanced in Congress, the bill would set a federal expectation for routine screening and coverage in Medicaid and CHIP, potentially narrowing disparities in access to stuttering‑specific services across states. The proposal will need to pass committee review and floor votes in both chambers before becoming law.

Implications

Advocates say the measure could help ensure earlier diagnosis, broader insurance coverage for evidence‑based therapy, and more consistent data collection on childhood stuttering—steps they argue would improve developmental and long‑term outcomes for children who stutter.