Congressman Cohen Introduces the Bipartisan Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act

WASHINGTON – On the first day of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the bipartisan Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act, to investigate the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and societal costs of cerebral palsy, the most prevalent life-long physical disability.

The bill is currently cosponsored by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Although cerebral palsy affects one out of every 345 children, it is the most prevalent disability that has no designated federal funding for research. 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. There is not currently a reliable system to count how many people in the United States have cerebral palsy, so the estimates on cerebral palsy prevalence are just that – estimates. The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Act addresses these critical oversights.”

The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Act would authorize $5 million to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a research program to focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cerebral palsy.

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