H.R. 2178 — Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings on cerebral palsy, including its prevalence (over 1,000,000 Americans, 1 in 345 children), annual U.S. diagnoses (more than 10,000 babies), unknown causes (more than 80% of cases), associated developmental disabilities (75% of individuals), heightened flu mortality risk, lack of consensus best practices, lifetime medical costs exceeding $13.5 billion and lost productivity over $35 billion for those born in 2000, and potential for treatment breakthroughs.

This section establishes a cerebral palsy research program to be carried out by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in consultation with other federal agencies and partners, directly or through grants or contracts. The program includes (1) research on promising avenues for diagnosis and treatment, factors mitigating prevalence, and health care and societal costs; (2) public health surveillance; and (3) other research determined appropriate by the CDC Director to provide education and training for health professionals and the general public on diagnosing, treating, and explaining the causes, prevalence, and lifelong effects of cerebral palsy. The section further authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit private entities, requires evaluations of program activities and their effects on various demographic populations, and authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each of FY2026 through FY2031.