Reps. Cleaver, Cohen, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act
(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation would create the first-ever cerebral palsy (CP) federal research program to investigate prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the societal costs of cerebral palsy, the most prevalent life-long physical disability.
“As we recognize Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I’m proud to stand with my friend, Representative Steve Cohen, to introduce bipartisan legislation that would finally provide federal funding to research cerebral palsy, the most common life-long physical disability impacting Americans today,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Through the creation of a federal research program dedicated to this disorder, not only can we make progress in advancing treatments and diagnostic practices, but we can also provide hope to the millions of patients, families, and loved ones who are faced with this condition. It’s time to raise the standard of care for Americans with cerebral palsy, and the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Act is an essential step toward that goal.”
“Although cerebral palsy affects one out of every 345 children, it is the most prevalent disability that has no designated federal funding for research,” said Congressman Cohen. “No dedicated federal funding for cerebral palsy means there are fewer treatment options, less prevention, less education, and a lack of standards of care across lifespans. The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act addresses these critical oversights. Especially during this time of careless restrictions and proposed reductions in federally supported biomedical research, this program is as needed as ever.”
“Cerebral palsy is a lifelong, debilitating condition that affects over a million Americans, yet there is no dedicated federal funding to advance research and improve treatments,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “By neglecting to invest in this critical research, we deny those living with cerebral palsy the care they deserve and hinder future breakthroughs. The bipartisan Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act will change that by securing federal funding to drive innovation, improve care, and give those affected the hope, progress, and support they deserve.”
“The Cerebral Palsy Foundation strongly supports the Cerebral Palsy Research Authorization Act, which addresses the urgent need for increased research and resources for cerebral palsy - the most common lifelong motor impairment, affecting more than 1,000,000 Americans,” said Cynthia Frisina, Senior Vice President, Cerebral Palsy Foundation. “This Act represents a significant step forward in improving the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy and their families and we are grateful to Congressmen Steve Cohen, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Emanuel Cleaver for their leadership on this important public health issue. This Act will directly lead to breakthroughs that reduce the prevalence and impact of cerebral palsy, enhancing quality of life and reducing the financial burdens associated with lifelong care."
CP is the most common life-long physical disability, occurring in roughly one out of 345 children and approximately one million people in the United States. Still, there has never been a federal research program focused on the disability. Since 2022, Reps. Cleaver and Cohen have also annually called on the House Appropriations Committee to include funding for CP research in the federal budget.
The bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy.
Official text of the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.