Newborns with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are at risk of acquired hearing loss, delayed language acquisition and speech development, and other developmental challenges. Currently, there is no dedicated federal support for state-based efforts to expand access to newborn CMV screening. Without that support, children with CMV who may otherwise benefit from audiology and speech-language pathology services are not receiving care in a timely manner. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists play a critical role in early intervention and treatment services across the lifespan for patients screened and diagnosed with congenital CMV.
CMV is the most common congenital viral infection in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 200 infants born each year. Congress must pass the Stop CMV Act (H.R. 7542/S. 3864) to improve the rate of screening and early detection of CMV, reduce the burden of lifelong disabilities associated with CMV, and reduce the overall cost of care for those born with CMV.
Download the Issue Brief [PDF] to learn more about this legislation.
Please complete the form to email your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Stop CMV Act (H.R. 7542/S. 3864).
Questions? Please contact Josh Krantz, ASHA's director of federal affairs, health care, at jkrantz@asha.org.
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