Sen. Akbari, Rep. Love team up with stuttering advocate, NBA veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
New legislation would expand access to speech therapy for stuttering
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) and state Rep. Harold Love, Jr. (D-Nashville) are joining forces with stuttering champion and NBA veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to advocate for Tennessee’s stuttering community.
Kidd-Gilchrist is widely recognized for his basketball career as a University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Champion (2012) and for a successful nine years in the NBA. In 2021, he stepped away from basketball and began a new journey as a leading advocate for stuttering awareness at the state and federal level.
Now, Kidd-Gilchrist is working with Sen. Akbari and Rep. Love on Senate Bill 231/House Bill 296, which would ban limits on annual benefits related to speech therapy and prevent health insurance policies from denying patient claims through utilization reviews. The legislation would also require insurance policies to cover speech therapy provided via telehealth.
“I realize that I have a platform to help others who struggle with stuttering and that includes advocating at the highest level,” said stuttering champion and NBA Veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. “I’m grateful to Sen. Akbari and Rep. Love for their efforts to help change the stigma around stuttering and propose this legislation to help Tennessee families.”
In 2024, Kidd-Gilchrist championed the passage of similar state legislation in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
“Stuttering affects millions of Americans, yet too many families are left without access to treatment that can change lives,” Sen. Akbari said. “Our bill ensures that no child or adult in Tennessee has to struggle in silence or face unnecessary barriers to care. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Love and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system.”
Rep. Love echoed the senator’s resolve. “Access to speech therapy is about fairness and opportunity. We know that early intervention and consistent treatment make a world of difference for individuals who stutter,” Rep. Love said. “By passing this legislation, Tennessee has the chance to lead the way in supporting those who stutter and their families. I’m honored to stand with Sen. Akbari and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in this important effort.”
Stuttering affects 1% of the United States population; roughly 3.5 million Americans. It is a highly stigmatized speech difference that is genetically based. Most children start stuttering between 2 to 6 years of age and it can affect males four times more than females.
Sen. Akbari is scheduled to present the legislation to members of the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 11.
About Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is widely recognized for his basketball career as a University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Champion (21012) and the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Over his eight-year NBA career, he played for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks. Michael is also a person who stutters. He personally advocates at the federal and state level to drive systemic change for those who stutter and is also the Founder of Change & Impact, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access and expanding resources for individuals who stutter.
