Advocacy

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a public health issue. To advance our purpose, we support a policy agenda aimed at ensuring access to education for women of childbearing age, accelerating research funding, and advocating for a vaccine.

Congenital CMV infection is largely undetected because the majority of affected infants are asymptomatic at birth. Recent evidence suggests that routine screening of newborns could allow infected infants to receive consistent monitoring and treatment if necessary, ultimately increasing his/her chance of optimized developmental care. 

Empowered CMV families from across the nation have teamed up with professionals and politicians in several states in hopes of making a difference with CMV legislation!
 
For example, did you know that your Council or Mayor signs proclamations or declarations recognizing awareness months? June is CMV Awareness Month and several cities/towns/counties/states have executed these proclamations establishing CMV recognition. Addressing CMV education through public policy serves as a great opportunity to get to know your local politicians and can provide greater access to resources and funding for CMV awareness. Learn more.

A means for CMV legislation has effectively passed in 11 states, with additional states in progress. Congratulations to our parent advocates, ardent supporters, and state sponsors for your perseverance in pushing these bills through!

Advocate with us! You have the power to call for action. Learn more about how you can help inform public policy.

Summary of Final Legislative Mandates

• Four states, Illinois, Iowa, New York, and Utah require both education of pregnant women and targeted newborn screening.

Education

• Nine states require the state to educate the public and professionals about congenital CMV: Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah.
• Tennessee requires health care providers to educate women of childbearing age.
• Only Utah has legislation that is accompanied by ongoing funding ($70,000 per year). Idaho has proposed $15,000 per year.

Screening

• Connecticut, Iowa, New York, and Utah require each newborn that fails the newborn hearing screening to be tested for congenital CMV.
• Illinois requires that a CMV test be offered to the parents of every child who fails the newborn hearing screening.

Proposed Legislative Mandates

• Education and Screening: Pennsylvania.
• Education: Michigan and Minnesota.
• In 2017, Maine proposed universal newborn CMV screening. While the legislation did not pass, the legislature established a committee to investigate universal CMV screening to provide a recommendation to the state in 2018. Please read the full findings here.
• Taking a cue from Maine, California proposed establishing a commission on cytomegalovirus public education and testing. This commission would identify potential public educational resources to inform pregnant women and women who may become pregnant about CMV, and would identify children born with CMV in order to improve their health and developmental outcomes. AB1801 passed unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate late August 2018, but was rejected by the Governor in September due to the high-costs associated with establishing a new commission.

Effective legislation requires multiple stakeholders working together in advance of and beyond changing policy. We are just getting started!

Are you interested in learning more about CMV advocacy and public policy? If so, please email us at advocacy@nationalcmv.org.