Members We Are Supporting
Below are members of Congress who have supported ASHA's public policy agenda.
Representative Dave Camp (R-MI)
Representative Dave Camp is quickly adapting to his new role as Chair of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, where he oversees Medicare and tax policies affecting ASHA members. A respected member of the House of Representatives, Camp is one of three House Republicans appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. ASHA has a long-standing relationship with Representative Camp and his staff and has worked with the office closely over the years.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
One of ASHA's "home state" legislators, Senator Cardin has quickly established himself as a strong supporter of speech-language pathology and audiology since being elected in 2006. Aside from serving on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Cardin sponsored legislation this year that would repeal the cap on rehabilitative outpatient therapy services in Medicare. Partnering with related therapy groups, ASHA was pleased to host an event supporting his re-election campaign.
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Senator Harkin has been a long-standing friend to ASHA. This past summer Senator Harkin reintroduced S. 1403, the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would gradually increase the federal share of IDEA funding from 16.1% to 40% over 10 years. The Senator was also instrumental in passing legislation to reauthorize the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (EHDI). Senator Harkin is chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, a committee that reviews most health care and education legislation considered in the Senate. Senator Harkin also sits on the powerful Committee on Appropriations where he presides as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. ASHA looks forward to continuing our great relationship with Senator Harkin and his staff in 2012.
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
A respected and powerful member of the U.S. Senate, Senator Hatch has spent more than three decades representing the people of Utah. Hatch is currently the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee as well as a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Together, these committees have legislative jurisdiction over virtually all health care and education legislation considered in the Senate.
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Senator Tim Johnson has been a long time public servant for the state of South Dakota, serving in both the South Dakota House of Representatives and Senate. He was elected in 1986 to the US House of Representatives and served five terms before being elected to the Senate in 1996. Senator Johnson has been a long-time supporter of speech-language pathology and audiology legislation and sits on the powerful Committee on Appropriations. In 2006, the Senator suffered an intracerebrald bleed. He has progressed significantly with his rehabilitation and remains an active member of the Senate.
Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
Representative McCarthy is one of the true champions of hearing health and audiology services in the House of Representatives. During the last three congresses, she has sponsored legislation that would provide a tax credit toward the purchase of hearing aids. Most recently, she has agreed to co-chair the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, which sponsors educational briefings and events throughout the year. Currently serving her eighth term in Congress, Congresswoman McCarthy serves as a senior member of the Committee on Education and Workforce and its Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions subcommittees.
Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI)
Representative Rogers has represented Michigan's 8th Congressional District since 2001 and has been a strong supporter of issues important to ASHA members. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Rogers has supported efforts to have Medicare recognize SLP's providing outpatient services as a provider for reimbursement purposes. He also supports legislation permitting school-based SLP's to participate in federal student loan forgiveness programs when teaching in economically-disadvantaged school districts.
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
A long-standing champion of hearing health, Senator Snowe spearheaded efforts to enact the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (EHDI) at the end of last year. Most recently, she signed on as the Republican lead of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act. An active member of the Finance Committee and key moderate vote, Snowe is a recognized and respected leader in the Senate.
Representative Pat Tiberi (R-OH)
Representative Tiberi has represented Ohio's 12th Congressional District since 2001 and been a strong supporter of issues important to ASHA members. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Tiberi has supported efforts to have Medicare recognize SLPs providing outpatient services as a provider for reimbursement purposes. He is also supportive of legislation permitting school-based SLPs to participate in federal student loan forgiveness programs when teaching in economically-disadvantaged school districts.
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
ASHA-PAC was pleased to host Representative Van Hollen during the ASHA Advisory Council meeting earlier this year. Representing the Maryland congressional district housing ASHA's National Office, Van Hollen has been a dedicated ally over the last decade. He currently serves as the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee and is considered one of his party's most influential members.