S 2842119th CongressIn Committee

Stop CMV Act of 2025

Introduced: Sep 17, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-Connecticut)

Healthcare

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Stop CMV Act of 2025, would amend the Public Health Service Act to create a framework for screening congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in newborns. It would authorize hospitals and other health care entities caring for infants 21 days old or younger to administer CMV screening, set up state-level standards and procedures for testing and communicating results, and establish a timeline and oversight process to ensure states adopt these standards. The bill also creates funding streams through federal agencies (HRSA, CDC, NIH) to support testing, data systems, education, and research related to CMV screening, prevention, and treatment. An existing advisory committee would gain authority to develop and approve standards if states do not adopt them, and the bill expands the committee’s duties to include CMV activities. In short, the bill moves toward making newborn CMV screening more systematic by giving states a framework, funding, and federal oversight to support testing, data collection, provider and public education, and ongoing research.

Key Points

1New provision: Establishes a new Sec. 1116A (Screening of Congenital Cytomegalovirus) authorizing hospitals and other health care entities caring for infants 21 days old or younger to administer CMV screening in accordance with the section.
2State role and oversight: State health officers may set standards and procedures for testing, disseminate information to parents, track results, and conduct follow-up and education. If a state does not adopt approved standards within 2 years of enactment, the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children would establish appropriate standards for that state.
3Funding and implementation:
4- HRSA grants to states that adopt approved standards to fund testing at appropriate entities and to distribute funds for testing.
5- CDC grants or cooperative agreements to provide technical assistance to states for data collection on CMV and for education/training of health care providers, patients, and the public.
6- NIH programs to support research on CMV screening technologies, intervention efficacy, diagnostics, prevention, vaccines, and treatments.
7Advisory Committee role: The existing Advisory Committee would review and approve state standards for CMV screening and would incorporate CMV activities into its mandate.
8Short title: The act would be known as the “Stop CMV Act of 2025.”

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Newborns and infants (especially those up to 21 days old) who may be screened for congenital CMV.- Families and guardians of newborns, who would receive information about CMV testing and results.- Health care providers and hospital-based newborn care teams responsible for administering tests and communicating results.Secondary group/area affected:- State and local public health departments, which would implement state standards, track data, and coordinate follow-up and education.- Federal agencies (HRSA, CDC, NIH) involved in funding, data systems, education, and research.Additional impacts:- Data collection and public health surveillance on congenital CMV could improve understanding of prevalence, outcomes, and effectiveness of interventions.- Increased need for education and resources for providers and families about CMV risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, and potential vaccines or cures.- Financial and logistical considerations for states and health care entities to implement screening programs, including training, data management, and follow-up care.- The voluntary aspect (testing “may administer”) means implementation would vary by hospital or entity and depend on state standards and resources.

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