Stop CMV Act of 2025
The Stop CMV Act of 2025 would amend the Public Health Service Act to require screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) in newborns. It allows hospitals and other health care providers to test infants who are 21 days old or younger for congenital CMV, with states establishing standards for how testing is conducted, how results are recorded, and how information is shared with parents. If states fail to adopt approved standards within two years, a federal Advisory Committee would step in to establish appropriate procedures. The bill also creates or expands grant programs through HRSA, CDC, and NIH to support testing implementation, data collection and education, and CMV-related research and development (including diagnostics, prevention, treatments, and vaccine efforts). Finally, it adds responsibilities related to 1116A to the Advisory Committee so it can carry out activities connected to the CMV screening provisions.
Key Points
- 1Mandated testing window: Hospitals or other health care entities may test infants who are 21 days old or younger for congenital CMV, with the Secretary of Health designated age criteria guiding implementation.
- 2State role and standards: State health officials may set standards for administering tests, recording results, tracking, follow-up, and informing parents. They also manage dissemination of testing information to parents.
- 3If states don’t act: If a state doesn’t establish approved testing standards within two years of enactment, the federal Discretionary Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children will prescribe standards and procedures.
- 4Federal funding and support:
- 5- HRSA grants to states to fund testing implementation in eligible entities, with appropriations authorized for 2025-2026.
- 6- CDC grants or cooperative agreements to help states develop data systems and educate providers, patients, and the public, with funding authorized for 2025-2026.
- 7- NIH to fund research and development on screening techniques, diagnostics, interventions, prevention, and vaccine development related to congenital CMV.
- 8Advisory Committee expansion: The existing Advisory Committee’s responsibilities are updated to include activities under the CMV screening provisions (1116A).