Former NBA Star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Testifies in Support of Bill to Expand Insurance Coverage for Stuttering Treatment
- Steven Le
- Feb 28
- 1 min read
On February 10, 2025, the New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee heard compelling testimony from former NBA player, New Jersey native, and lifelong stutterer Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in support of bill S-3558, which would require health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering.
“I was blessed to play basketball, but that’s not who I am as a person,” said Kidd-Gilchrist. “This means the world to me and my family and those I'm here for.”
Senator Joseph Cryan, Vice Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, emphasized the importance of the legislation. “It was an honor to hear testimony today on S-3558, a bill that would require health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering. Former NBA player, New Jersey native, and lifelong stutterer Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shared his powerful story, highlighting the critical need for accessible speech therapy.”
The bill, sponsored by Senators Jim Beach and M. Teresa Ruiz, aims to ensure that private and public health insurers, as well as the State Medicaid program, cover medical expenses for treating stuttering, including habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy.
Following his testimony, the bill advanced unanimously through the Senate Commerce Committee, marking a significant step forward in expanding access to essential speech therapy services for those who stutter.
Watch his testimony below.
