- Student Loan Forgiveness for SLPs
- Direct Access to Audiologists
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1. Student Loan Forgiveness for SLPs
Action Requested
Please co-sponsor H.R. 670, the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act of 2005," introduced by Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC). This legislation targets math, science, special education teachers, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for federal student loan forgiveness if they work in economically disadvantaged (Title I) schools for at least five consecutive years.
Background
Under H.R. 670, speech-language pathologists and highly qualified math, science and special education teachers who have Stafford loans granted after 1998 would be eligible to receive up to $17,500 of higher education loan forgiveness. These classifications of educators represent the greatest shortages facing our Title I schools across the nation.
Related services provided to special education students are integral to their success, and no related service is more utilized than speech-language pathology. Children with speech, language, or hearing disorders account for about 30% of all services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and roughly 75% of all school-based Medicaid funds are provided for eligible children with these disorders.
The school-age population and the need for expanded services to students with disabilities are expected to increase over next decade. The U.S. Department of Education's 24th Annual Report to Congress indicates that almost half of all school-based speech-language pathologists will be eligible for retirement within approximately 15 years. The study concludes that unless the number of newly prepared SLPs increases substantially, a severe shortage will be unavoidable. As with other specialty training shortages in schools (including math, science and special education teachers), vacancies and retention rates are often most severe for speech-language pathologists in lower-income, inner-city and rural areas. H.R. 670 would extend immediate help to these school districts.
It is crucial that Congress act now to address the long-term projected shortage of SLPs by making permanent this incentive to recruit and retain professionals to educate our nation's most needy children. Please support and co-sponsor H.R 670.
For more information, contact Neil Snyder at 800-274-2376, ext. 4257 or via e-mail at nsnyder@asha.org. 3/05
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2. Direct Access to Audiologists
Action Requested
Please co-sponsor the Hearing Health Accessibility Act of 2005 (S. 277), as introduced by Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), or H.R. 415, as introduced by Representative Jim Ryun (R-KS). This legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. Currently, Medicare requires that beneficiaries with hearing loss or balance disorders obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist.
Background
Experience in other government programs, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, suggests that direct access to audiologists avoids unnecessary costs, increased waiting time, and inefficient use of physician resources. Having both physicians and audiologists as entry points to the hearing health care system would greatly improve access to hearing care, especially for Medicare beneficiaries in underserved areas and low-income beneficiaries who may be deterred by the cost of a physician visit.
S. 277 and H.R. 415 would allow more seniors under Medicare to be directly evaluated and work with audiologists to learn how they can fully utilize their hearing devices or better treat other hearing problems.
For more information, contact Reed Franklin at 202-624-5951 or 800-274-2376, ext. 4473 or via e-mail at rfranklin@asha.org. 3/05
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