HR6364-119

2. Expanding screening and requiring coverage of certain speech therapy services under Medicaid and CHIP Section 1139A(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–9a(b)(5)) is amended— by striking Beginning no later than and inserting the following: Beginning no later than by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall publish changes to the core measures described in subsection (a) to include measures of screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering, for children who have attained the age of 2 (and have not attained the age of 6). The Secretary shall publish the changes required by clause (i) at the same time and in the same manner as the relevant annual recommended changes required under subparagraph (A). Section 1905(r)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(r)(1)(B)) is amended— in clause (iv), by striking and at the end; in clause (v), by striking the period at the end and inserting , and; and by adding at the end the following new clause: beginning January 1, 2027, for children who have attained the age of 2 (and have not attained the age of 6), screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering. Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is amended— in section 1902(a)— in paragraph (10)(A), by striking and (30) and inserting (30), and (32); in paragraph (88)(B)(iii), by striking and at the end; in paragraph (89), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following new paragraph: provide that the treatment limitations applicable to specified speech therapy services (as defined in section 1905(ll)) are no more restrictive than the treatment limitations applicable to any speech therapy services for the treatment of expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, mixed expressive and receptive language disorder, or articulation, for which medical assistance is provided under the State plan (or waiver of such plan). in section 1905— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (31), by striking and at the end; by redesignating paragraph (32) as paragraph (33); and by inserting after paragraph (31) the following new paragraph: beginning on January 1, 2027, specified speech therapy services (as defined in subsection (ll)); and by adding at the end the following new subsection: For purposes of subsection (a)(32), the term specified speech therapy services— means speech therapy services for the treatment of childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering; and includes such services delivered through real-time, audio and video telecommunications technology. Section 2103(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: Beginning January 1, 2027, the child health assistance provided to a targeted low-income child shall include coverage of specified speech therapy services (as such term is defined in section 1905(ll)). Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended— by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (W) as subparagraphs (J) through (X), respectively; and by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new subparagraph: Section 1902(a)(90) (relating to parity in coverage of speech therapy services). (A)In generalBeginning no later than; and (B)Screening for stuttering and speech fluency(i)In generalNot later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall publish changes to the core measures described in subsection (a) to include measures of screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering, for children who have attained the age of 2 (and have not attained the age of 6).(ii)PublicationThe Secretary shall publish the changes required by clause (i) at the same time and in the same manner as the relevant annual recommended changes required under subparagraph (A).. (vi) beginning January 1, 2027, for children who have attained the age of 2 (and have not attained the age of 6), screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering. . (90)provide that the treatment limitations applicable to specified speech therapy services (as defined in section 1905(ll)) are no more restrictive than the treatment limitations applicable to any speech therapy services for the treatment of expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, mixed expressive and receptive language disorder, or articulation, for which medical assistance is provided under the State plan (or waiver of such plan).; and (32)beginning on January 1, 2027, specified speech therapy services (as defined in subsection (ll)); and; and (ll)Specified speech therapy servicesFor purposes of subsection (a)(32), the term specified speech therapy services—(1)means speech therapy services for the treatment of childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering; and(2)includes such services delivered through real-time, audio and video telecommunications technology.. (13)Required coverage of certain speech therapy servicesBeginning January 1, 2027, the child health assistance provided to a targeted low-income child shall include coverage of specified speech therapy services (as such term is defined in section 1905(ll)).. (I)Section 1902(a)(90) (relating to parity in coverage of speech therapy services)..