Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Advocates for Stuttering Legislation
Former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is teaming up with Rep. Addison McDowell from North Carolina and Rep. Shomali Figures from Alabama to promote a federal initiative aimed at improving access to early stuttering detection for children.
Kidd-Gilchrist, who spent the majority of his playing career with the Charlotte Bobcats and Hornets, has gained recognition for his advocacy regarding childhood stuttering. The proposed Kid Stuttering Act seeks to ensure that children aged 2 to 6 enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) receive early stuttering assessments during routine health checks. Additionally, it would require Medicaid and CHIP to cover speech therapy relevant to stuttering, among other expanded provisions for treatment access.
“This bill will allow for the early identification of stuttering in children on Medicaid and CHIP, giving countless kids a better shot at addressing their stuttering issues early on. If detected in time, young children, say around four years old, have a 75% improved chance of recovery,” explained McDowell. “Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s efforts at various levels are already creating positive change, and I’m eager to help push this further in Congress.”
Kidd-Gilchrist launched Change & Impact Inc. after retiring from basketball, focusing on enhancing medical services and accessibility for individuals who stutter. His advocacy work has influenced state legislation in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, and he is now looking to effect change on a national scale.
“I appreciate the chance to support this vital cause. Early screenings and treatments for kids who stutter are essential,” he noted. “It’s unsettling that families have to struggle for essential care that can significantly impact a child’s future. I’ve seen first-hand how crucial it can be.”
According to the Stuttering Foundation, which has been active since the 1940s, roughly 5% of children face stuttering challenges lasting over six months. Furthermore, about 75% of those who show early signs typically recover before they reach late childhood, while around 1% of the overall population experiences ongoing stuttering issues. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health estimate that globally, around 70 million adults also contend with stuttering.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s legislation, supported by McDowell and Figures, would mandate that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services incorporate stuttering and fluency evaluations into the Child Core Set of health care measures. It also stipulates that stuttering screenings occur during well-child visits for youngsters aged 2 to 6 covered by Medicaid, along with requirements for Medicaid and CHIP to encompass speech therapy relevant to stuttering.
“As a father and an advocate, I am proud to collaborate with Rep. McDowell and Kidd-Gilchrist to introduce this legislation that aims to better assist children and families,” remarked Congressman Figures. “We understand that early intervention can greatly influence a child’s language growth, self-esteem, and overall well-being. This bill represents a meaningful step toward delivering the necessary support and health coverage to families.”
