Protecting Access to Your Services
April 25, 2025
We've seen an extraordinary number of executive orders and actions that impact audiologists’ and speech-language pathologists’ (SLP) work in education and health care. As ASHA and other organizations adjust to new political and policy dynamics—both in Washington, DC and in the states—we remain firmly committed to protecting access to your services.
Read on for important updates, information, and ways you can make an impact!
Future of the Department of Education
It’s unclear what actions the Secretary of Education may take to carry out the president’s executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. But legislative action by Congress is ultimately necessary to make many of the changes the executive order proposes. Read more about what’s coming next and what you can do.
Sign up for our free webinar on the Department of Education, “Exploring the Education Policy Landscape: What School-Based Audiologists and SLPs Need to Know,” May 6, 7–8 p.m. (ET).
Protecting Critical Research Funding
Join us in asking your members of Congress to protect funding for critical health research. The current administration has stopped or constrained access to funding for research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This threatens the progress of ongoing and future work to help people with communication disorders and more. Research funding cuts also threaten the future preparation of scientists, especially for PhD students, which is essential for supporting future medical and public health breakthroughs.
Protect Clinical Research Funding
Taking Action for Newborn Hearing Screening Programs
Urge your members of Congress to protect state-based Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Act programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and funded through the Health Resources Services Administration that help states screen newborns for hearing loss and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. These proven-effective programs are at risk. Congress must act!
Protect Newborn Hearing Screening Programs
Potential Medicaid Changes Coming
Despite widespread dissent, Congress cleared the way for legislators to begin negotiating how to pay for tax cuts by possibly reducing Medicaid spending by up to $880 billion or more. Though advocates have been told these cuts shouldn’t have major impacts on Medicaid, there’s no denying they will.
The House of Representatives could consider a bill that includes such changes as early as the week of May 19. It’s a vital time to urge your legislators to protect Medicaid by writing a letter or making a call. And share your story with us!
Medicare Telehealth Extended, but Cuts Sustained
Congress passed legislation that extended audiologists’ and SLPs’ ability to provide telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries through September 30, 2025. However, ASHA Advocacy staff and volunteers continue our push for a Medicare payment increase. Join us in urging Congress to
- Extend telehealth service provision beyond September 30
- Reverse Medicare Part B payment cuts now.
Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act Reintroduced
The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The sponsors’ press release about the bill quoted ASHA President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, who noted that enactment of the bill “will help remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that prevent seniors from accessing critical hearing and balance care and prevent the Medicare program from utilizing the audiology workforce to the fullest extent of its training and expertise.” ASHA’s past president, Tena McNamara, participated in congressional meetings with the presidents of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology to build support for passage on the day the bill was introduced.
Take action now to support more timely and robust coverage of services audiologists provide.
New Resources for State Legislation
To offer members more opportunities to learn about the legislation and regulations that impact their work, ASHA Advocacy recently launched a new virtual tracker that shows what legislation is being tracked and ASHA’s engagement on specific issues in each state related to the professions.
Many state legislatures are still in session, so we will provide a summary of state legislative action in the next couple of months.
ASHA and the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC)
From conceptualization to implementation, ASHA has spearheaded the ASLP-IC efforts to allow audiologists and SLPs to practice across state lines. The ASLP-IC increases access to care and improves professional mobility. As primary funder and advocate for the ASLP-IC, ASHA's proactive involvement has been essential in bringing the ASLP-IC from an idea to a tangible reality, underscoring our commitment to the professions. The ASLP-IC is poised to begin issuing compact privileges in late summer 2025.
Take action to get your state to join the ASLP-IC!
Executive Orders
ASHA is closely monitoring and tracking executive orders most relevant to the professions and has developed a resource to provide updates on current and new executive orders. Although it will take some time to understand the full impact of current and future executive orders, we remain firmly committed to advancing ASHA’s advocacy priorities.
ASHA Advocates in Action
Your voice holds power. ASHA advocates have sent over 73,000 letters to their legislators so far this year! Your letters not only connect you directly with your legislators but also support our lobbyists and advocates on Capitol Hill.
Whether you want to write a letter, make a call, or schedule a meeting, ASHA Advocacy has resources that make the process easy and prepare you with stats and information to support your argument.
ASHA-PAC
To date, ASHA-PAC has raised $48,479 from 1,324 ASHA members. The PAC can only be supported by voluntary contributions from ASHA members. Help us in protecting your professional future by donating to ASHA-PAC today!
Stay Up to Date on Advocacy
ASHA Advocacy offers a wide variety of resources to keep our members informed and involved. Here are some timely resources to check out right now:
Thank you for being an ASHA advocate! Stay tuned and check our website for more advocacy opportunities and updates on how ASHA is advocating for you.
