This bill would add a new section to the Public Health Service Act directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a program of research related to cerebral palsy. The program would include research on promising ways to diagnose and treat cerebral palsy; factors that may reduce how often it occurs; studies of health care and societal costs; public health surveillance; and education and training for health professionals and the public. The Secretary may provide technical assistance and must evaluate program activities, including effects on different demographic groups. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2031 to carry out this section. The bill was introduced March 18, 2025, and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
If enacted, the CDC could run or fund research projects, monitoring efforts, training, and evaluations about cerebral palsy. This could lead to new information on diagnosis, treatment, causes, prevalence, and costs. The bill includes an annual funding authorization for these activities for 2026–2031.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out the section. No publicly available information on total federal outlays beyond this authorization or on how funds would be distributed is provided in the bill text.
The bill's findings say cerebral palsy is a common, lifelong motor impairment that affects many people; causes are unknown in most cases; many people with cerebral palsy have other developmental disabilities; health care and lifetime costs are large; and research, prevention, and treatment advances are possible. Proponents argue these facts justify a focused research and surveillance program.
No publicly available information on opponents' views is included in the provided bill text or metadata.