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American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Washington, DC
March 28-30, 2003
Copies of committee reports submitted, as well as the Legislative Council workbook containing background information related to issues on the agenda are on file in the National Office. Formal actions seconded and passed by the Legislative Council begin with the word RESOLVED and are numbered in boldface type.
The meeting of the Legislative Council of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association was held in the Grand Ballroom of the J. W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, DC with President Glenda J. Ochsner opening the meeting. The first session of the March 2003 meeting of the Legislative Council was called to-order at 8:40 am on March 28. The Chair of the Committee on Credentials reported the names of 2 permanent replacements seated on the Council since January 2003, 24 absent Councilors, and the names of 12 temporary replacements for the March meeting. The report of the Committee was accepted.
Roll call was taken and 138 Councilors were present. The President declared a quorum present. New Councilors introduced themselves.
The President introduced members of the 2003 Executive Board, the Assembly Coordinators, Co-Floor Managers, Parliamentarian and members of the National Office staff available to assist with the meeting.
Year of the Volunteer Welcome:
Michael S. Olson, President and CEO of the American Society for Association Executives spoke on the need and value of volunteers in the non-profit industry.
The Business/Floor Procedures contained in the meeting materials were approved. The agenda for the meeting of Legislative Council was approved.
Legislative Briefing:
Jim Potter asked all Councilors to go to the Hill today even if they do not have an appointment scheduled. Packets have been prepared and distributed. Mr. Potter spoke on the IDEA and asked Councilors for their help in focusing legislators on retaining the highest qualified providers for related services.
Mr. Potter introduced Linda Lucas who reviewed the materials that were included in their packets and the bus schedule to get Councilors to and from the Hill.
Reed Franklin again spoke on IDEA. Councilors approached the microphone to ask questions.
Announcements were made by the floor managers and then, Councilors departed for Hill visits or the New Councilor Orientation.
Council recessed at 10:15 am.
Council reconvened at 3:05 pm
President's Address:
President Ochsner presented a report to the Legislative Council. Topics covered in the report included an update on planning, public policy agenda, non-dues revenue, public relations and the 2003 Convention.
Planning:
President Ochsner noted that the strategic plan through 2021 would be a focused forum during the LC meeting on Saturday morning and would then be presented to the LC for a vote at the November meeting. President Ochsner discussed the current and projected space needs for the National Office over the next 20 years. Several options were under consideration including expanding the current building, selling the property and buying a larger property in the Washington, DC area, or relocating the National Office to another part of the country. The Executive Board agreed with the Financial Planning Board’s recommendations to begin negotiations and finalize specifications to expand the current property with an additional 40,000 square feet of office space.
President Ochsner reported on the Executive Board’s approval of a 3-year strategic plan to address the critical shortage of Ph.D. students, faculty and researchers. The plan will be implemented beginning this year with funding from the Executive Board contingency fund.
Public Policy Agenda:
President Ochsner discussed current Medicare payment and billing practices and the need to refine or modify such practices to promote greater direct access to: audiology and speech-language pathology services and repealing the $1,500 cap. Another priority is to promote full funding and reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including recruitment and retention, services to culturally and linguistically diverse children and workload analyses.
President Ochsner also reviewed the 2001-2003 Focused Initiatives including accomplishments made in 2002 and Health Care Reimbursement.
Non-Dues Revenue:
President Ochsner reported that 40% of the Association’s revenue is from non-dues resources. One of these sources is CompleteSource, a holding company for three separate businesses including reimbursement services, group purchasing and professional services.
Public Relations:
President Ochsner reported that more than $5.8 million in publicity has been generated from the public service campaign on members in the schools and that ASHA will launch its’ third national service campaign in April focusing on hearing health. President Ochsner announced the members of the Executive Director Search Committee and the search firm selected, Association Strategies. John Bernthal, chair of the committee, and Association Strategies will present a report Saturday afternoon.
In conclusion, President Ochsner reminded the Council that the annual meeting will be held in Chicago, Illinois, November 13-15.
Membership Forum:
The Membership Forum was held. No members of the Association spoke to the Legislative Council about issues of concern. Prior to the Council meeting, 20 members expressed their concerns to the Council via electronic communication, and these were distributed to Council for insertion in their Legislative Council Operations and Meetings Handbook.
The Chair of the Committee on Special Rules presented a report including a change to the Special Rules under section B, number 3. A motion was made and unanimously passed to approve amendment to Section B (3) to add the words "including standing, ad hoc and joint committees." APPROVED.
There was a report from the Multicultural Issues Board (MIB). Ken Wolf, Legislative Councilor from California and a member of MIB, provided a report on the future goals of the Board and past achievements.
The Chair of the Legislative Council Coordinating Committee presented a brief report on the activities of the committee. The report included how the LCCC has responded to Councilor’s comments from the fall 2002 Evaluations, caucus concerns, and on new documents created to help the Legislative Council work more effectively. The LCCC also reported that they will not be bringing LC 12-2002 back to the Council because the budget was approved by the Legislative Council and only $32,000 or, $200 per Councilor, is included in the 2003 budget. In conclusion, the chair reported the results of the 2002 Speaker Evaluations.
Gail Richard opened the floor for a Legislative Council Focused Forum on the Speaker’s role in Council. No Councilors approached.
Mary Jo Schill, Chair of the Financial Planning Board, presented a report from the Joint Ad Hoc Committee including the process that the Committee uses for program review.
The Speaker asked Councilors to complete and return the Issues Identification form that was provided to them. The Legislative Council Forum was held. Ten Councilors addressed the Council about a variety of issues including:
• The status of assistants in various states.
• Applauding the Multicultural Issues Board on their presentation and a recommendation to change the name to Cultural Issues Board.
• Report on efforts of Councilors on the Hill. · Concern about two meetings with a suggestion to change the Special Rules to state that the Legislative Council would meet only one-time per year.
• Concern that some of the Spring 2002 caucus concerns had not been adequately addressed and a request that more work be done to address LC 14-2002.
• Request that the Legislative Council Call for Nominations go out over Headliners and moved to an earlier issue of the ASHA Leader.
• Request to define issues appropriate for discussion at Legislative Council Forum.
• Request to amend the Bylaws for Life Membership status to reduce the number of years.
• A reminder was made to the Legislative Council that Honors will be meeting in June and that a ballot concerning the Honors of the Association will be mailed. Councilors were also reminded that they must maintain confidentiality of this information.
• The differences between SLPs and Audiologists on Critical Issues and the need to consider these when ranking issues.
• A concern for CFY students being rejected for positions.
As the Council had completed the scheduled agenda items for the day before the allotted time, the Speaker asked Council whether they would like to move forward to a resolution or adjourn early. Verbal vote was accepted to move forward with a resolution. The Speaker reminded Councilors of resolution protocol.
LC 1-2003. RESOLVED, That the policy document "Auditory Integration Training" be approved as an ASHA position statement; and further
RESOLVED, That the position statement be published in the next annual Supplement to The ASHA Leader , be posted on the Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference .
President Ochsner provided an overview of the Executive Board’s decision. Councilors went into debate.
A motion was made to refer the issue back to the Executive Board with a request that they bring information forward at the next meeting. The motion was seconded. Motion to refer went into debate. Motion to refer DEFEATED.
Returned to main motion. APPROVED.
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
The March 29, 2003 session of the Legislative Council was called to order at 10:45 am.
LC 3-2003. RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) establish the Annie Glenn Award to acknowledge a person who best exemplifies Mrs. Glenn’s own invincible spirit in advocating on behalf of people with communication disorders; and further
RESOLVED, That a monetary donation be made to a university audiology or speech-language pathology program selected by the award recipient to be used to provide financial assistance to a student or students enrolled in the program; and further RESOLVED, That the Committee on Honors will establish the criteria for the award, the amount of the donation to be provided, solicit and evaluate nominees for the award, and, if appropriate, select a recipient for the Anne Glenn Award who will receive the Award at the annual ASHA Convention. APPROVED.
LC 4-2003. RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) establish a Media Awards Program for use in recognizing significant contributions by individuals and organizations in news coverage and media programming (e.g. print, television, film, and other forms of media) that have a positive impact on how communication disorders are portrayed and treated; and further
RESOLVED, That the Media Award shall be presented at an appropriate ceremony and that a suitable monetary award, plaque, or other symbol denoting this honor shall be presented to the awardee; and further
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Honors, in collaboration with the National Office Communications Cluster, will establish the criteria for the media awards, solicit and evaluate nominees for the award, and if appropriate during any one year, select one or more recipients for the Media Award. APPROVED.
ASHA Proposed Strategic Plan:
The Vice President for Administration and Planning presented a draft Strategic Plan for ASHA. The working group was comprised of Legislative Councilors, Executive Board and National Office staff. The presentation included background on how the plan was developed, why the plan was developed, components, vision, and future issues.
The Council went into Open Forum and Councilors approached with comments and questions including language used such as "vision" and "to become."
The Legislative Council recessed at 11:50 for lunch and Caucus meetings. The following caucus meetings were held: (a) Health Care Reimbursement, (b) Identifying Current Schools Issues, and (c) Shortages of SLPs.
The Legislative Council reconvened at 2:05 pm.
Budget Update/Speech-Language Pathology Assistants Program:
The Vice President for Administration and Planning presented a financial update on the SLPA Program. The start-up costs were estimated at $250,000. The Vice President stated that the revenue will never meet the mandate from LC 1B-95. Following the presentation, Council moved into a Focused Forum to discuss this issue.
LC 2-2003. RESOLVED, That LC 20-96 be rescinded; and further
RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) cease financial support for the registration program for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants and the approval process for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant technical training programs as of December 31, 2003; and further
RESOLVED, That a plan be developed and implemented that provides for a transition period for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant technical training programs that are currently approved and those seeking program approval accreditation; and further
RESOLVED, That all ASHA documents be updated as necessary in accordance with this resolution.
Due to the resolution being time-ordered, a motion to move the resolution was made and seconded. The Council then went into Open Forum for discussion and questions on the resolution. Many councilors approached the microphone.
Motion to refer to the Executive Board was made and seconded. FAILED.
Councilors agreed to reduce their allotted time on the agenda for Regional Meetings so that they could continue with discussion on resolution LC 2-2003.
In response to Councilor’s requests for additional information, the ASHA Director of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants Program made a modified presentation that had been presented at the Fall 2002 Convention on the SLPA program.
The Chair from the Financial Planning Board provided additional financial information on the SLPA program.
Councilors entered into debate.
APPROVED.
Update from Search Firm for Executive Director:
The chair of the Executive Director Search Committee provided an update on the status of the search for a new executive director of the Association.
A motion to reconsider the vote of LC 1-2003 was made and seconded. FAILED.
Council adjourned at 5:32 pm.
The March 30, 2003 session of the Legislative Council was called to order at 10:20 am.
The Speaker opened the meeting with a Focused Forum.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs presented information on the doctoral shortage in the professions and a plan under development by the Association to resolve the problem. Issue rankings from the Assemblies were presented with a request for Councilors to provide additional input. No Councilors approached.
Issues Rankings from the Assemblies:
• Caseload
• Paperwork Reduction
• Highest-Qualified Provider Assistants
• Qualifications
• Supplemental Services
The Council went into Open Forum. Councilors approached to discuss the SLPA Program.
The Past-President and Chair of the Resolutions Committee reported on the location and schedule for the Fall 2003 meeting. The Legislative Council will be meeting at the Hilton and the schedule will be Saturday, November 15 from approximately 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, November 16 from approximately 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Assembly Meetings
The Audiology/Hearing Science Assembly and the Speech-Language Pathology/Speech or Language Science Assembly held their first meetings on Saturday, May 29th from 8:00-10:30 am. The second meeting of each Assembly was held on Sunday, May 30th from 8:00-10:00 am.
The following action was taken by the Audiology/Hearing Science Assembly.
Assembly Coordinator, Laura Ann Wilber reported on discussions regarding support personnel, accuracy of hearing statistics reported for children and the elderly. Concern was expressed about the lack of legislation for audiologic rehabilitation, as well as independence in audiology practice. The A/HSA passed a motion in support of holding the fall Legislative Council meeting on Saturday and Sunday.
LC A/HS 1-2003. RESOLVED, That "The Audiologist's Role in Occupational Hearing Conservation and Hearing Loss Prevention Programs" position statement be approved; and further
RESOLVED, That "The Audiologist's Role in Occupational Hearing Conservation and Hearing Loss Prevention Programs" position statement be posted on the Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference; and further
RESOLVED, That "The Audiologist's Role in Occupational Hearing Conservation and Hearing Loss Prevention Programs" position statement be published in the Spring Supplement to The ASHA Leader .
The following actions were taken by the Speech-Language Pathology/Speech or Language Science Assembly.
Assembly Coordinator Vickie Irwin introduced Councilor Barbara Moore-Brown. Councilor Brown reported on targets for the long-range plan for the SLP/SLS Assembly including: CPT reimbursement, improving communication between the Assemblies, IDEA and NCLB. The SLP/SLSA passed all seven resolutions and heard reports from two Vice Presidents.
LC SLP/SLS 1-2003. RESOLVED, That the position statement reviewed and reformatted by the ASHA-Special Interest Division 3 Working Group on Voice and Voice Disorders, entitled "Vocal Tract Visualization and Imaging: Position Statement," be approved by ASHA; and further
RESOLVED, That "Vocal Tract Visualization and Imaging: Position Statement" be published in a supplement of The ASHA Leader , be posted on the ASHA professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference , and that the availability of the report be announced in The ASHA Leader .
LC SLP/SLS 2-2003. RESOLVED, That the knowledge and skills document developed by the ASHA-Special Interest Division 3 Working Group on Voice and Voice Disorders, entitled "Knowledge and Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Evaluation and Treatment for Tracheoesophageal Puncture and Prosthesis," be approved by ASHA; and further
RESOLVED, That "Knowledge and Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Evaluation and Treatment for Tracheoesophageal Puncture and Prosthesis" be published in a supplement of The ASHA Leader , be posted on the ASHA professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference , and that the availability of the position statement be announced in The ASHA Leader .
LC SLP/SLS 3-2003. RESOLVED, That the position statement developed by the ASHA-Special Interest Division 3 Working Group on Voice and Voice Disorders, entitled "Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Evaluation and Treatment for Tracheoesophageal Puncture and Prosthesis," be approved by ASHA; and further
RESOLVED, That the following ASHA policy document be rescinded: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1992, March). Evaluation and treatment for tracheoesophageal fistulization/puncture." ASHA, 34(Suppl. 7), 17-21; and further
RESOLVED, That "Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Evaluation and Treatment for Tracheoesophageal Puncture and Prosthesis" be published in a supplement of The ASHA Leader , be posted on the ASHA professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference , and that the availability of the position statement be announced in The ASHA Leader .
LC SLP/SLS 4-2003. RESOLVED, That the knowledge and skills document developed by the ASHA-Special Interest Division 3 Working Group on Voice and Voice Disorders, entitled "Knowledge and Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Vocal Tract Visualization and Imaging," be approved by ASHA; and further
RESOLVED, That the following ASHA policy document be rescinded: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1992, March). Vocal tract visualization and imaging. ASHA, 34(Suppl. 7), 37-40; and further
RESOLVED, That the following ASHA policy document be rescinded: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1998). Training guidelines for laryngeal videoendoscopy/stroboscopy, Rockville, MD: Author; and further
RESOLVED, That "Knowledge and Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists with Respect to Vocal Tract Visualization and Imaging" be published in a supplement of The ASHA Leader , be posted on the ASHA professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference , and that the availability of the document be announced in The ASHA Leader .
LC SLP/SLS 5-2003. RESOLVED, That the document entitled "Knowledge and Skills in Business Practices for Speech-Language Pathologists Who Are Managers and Organizational Leaders in Health Care Organizations" be approved as ASHA policy; and further
RESOLVED, That "Knowledge and Skills in Business Practices for Speech-Language Pathologists Who Are Managers and Organizational Leaders in Health Care Organizations" be published in the next annual supplement to The ASHA Leader and that it be posted on the professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference .
LC SLP/SLS 6-2003. RESOLVED, That the document entitled "Knowledge and Skills Needed by Speech-Language Pathologists Performing Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies" be approved as ASHA policy; and further
RESOLVED, That "Knowledge and Skills Needed by Speech-Language Pathologists Performing Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies" be published in the next annual supplement to The ASHA Leader and that it be posted on the professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference .
LC SLP/SLS 7-2003. RESOLVED, That the guidelines entitled "Admission/Discharge Criteria in Speech-Language Pathology" be approved by ASHA; and further RESOLVED, That the following ASHA report be rescinded: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1994). Admission/Discharge Criteria in Speech-Language Pathology. Rockville, MD: Author; and further
RESOLVED, That "Admission/Discharge Criteria in Speech-Language Pathology" be published in a supplement of The ASHA Leader , be posted on the ASHA professional web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference , and that the availability of the guidelines be announced in The ASHA Leader .
Caucus Reports
Susan Freiman reported on the Shortages of SLPs caucus and requested that the Executive Board consider SLP shortages as part of the "Issues" identified by the SLP/SLS Assembly. De Anne Owre reported on the School Issues caucus regarding concern of 3rd party reimbursement, use of support personnel in seeking reimbursement, as well as liability issues and how money generated is used. Councilor Owre expressed the need for continued Association resources for school issues even though the Focused Initiative on schools is coming to an end. Joan Jaeger reported on the Health Care caucus and made the following recommendations:
1. Inform ASHA members on this issue and how it impacts their practice;
2. Include this issue in the Focused Initiatives;
3. Reimbursement for aural rehabilitation;
4. SPIRAL address concerns regarding reimbursement (it is not just a "private insurance" issue).
5. Encouraged the Executive Board to continue focused initiatives on health care issues.
Final announcements were made.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.
Minutes of the March 28-30, 2003, Legislative Council Meeting Approved.
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