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Over 140 Legislative Counselors and Executive Board members made some 365 visits to their elected officials in Congress in conjunction with ASHA's Spring Legislative Council (LC) meeting in late March. ASHA's Political Action Committee (ASHA-PAC) raised over $5,600 during the annual LC Wine Tasting event where over 100 LC and EB members sampled fine wines from the United States, Italy, and Spain.
ASHA Leaders carried several issues to their federal legislators and requested that they co-sponsor legislation including:
- IDEA Mandatory Full Funding (S. 2185 and H.R. 3145);
- SLP Medicare Outpatient Supplier Status (H.R. 3795 and S. 657);
- Repeal of the Medicare Therapy Caps (S. 438 and H.R. 916);
- Direct Access to Audiologists (H.R. 415 and S. 277); and
- Hearing Aid Tax Credit (H.R. 414 and S. 1060).
Just as members of Congress ask for constituents' votes, councilors asked the elected officials to co-sponsor legislation that would enhance the working conditions of ASHA members or the lives of people with communication disorders.
The LC's visits have already resulted in several federal lawmakers becoming supportive of ASHA's legislation. But to be successful in moving these initiatives forward, we also need your grassroots support. You can do this is within a few minutes by visiting http://takeaction.asha.org.
If you would like to learn more about advocating for ASHA's public policy agenda or would like assistance in meeting your federal Representative or Senators, please contact Deborah Darcy at ddarcy@asha.org or 800-489-2071, ext. 4427.
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