Syracuse Sun

Today, Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22) announced his cosponsorship of H.R. 7542, the Stop CMV Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation aims to authorize new funding to incentivize hospitals and other healthcare entities to increase screening of newborns for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). It also directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct research into congenital CMV.

Introduced by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) in the House of Representatives, the bill has now gained nine cosponsors. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).

According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly one in five infants with congenital CMV will have birth defects or long-term health issues, such as hearing or vision loss, seizures, or developmental and motor delay.

“Nearly 90% of infants born with congenital CMV appear perfectly healthy at birth, and it can take more than two years for associated health problems to become visible,” said Congressman Williams. “This underscores the importance of early screening, both to come alongside caregivers who want what’s best for their children, and to contribute to ongoing research efforts that will help us better understand this disease as we seek to treat it.”

The Stop CMV Act has been endorsed by the National CMV Foundation, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.