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by Deb Darcy and Stefanie Reeves
We're more than one month away from the 2006 midterm elections. The stakes in Congress couldn't be higher-all 435 seats in the House and 33 Senate seats. The Nov. 7 elections will determine the control of Congress. What does that mean for you? It means that it's time to pay attention to who's running and ask yourself, "Do they know what an audiologist or speech-language pathologist is?" "Do members of Congress know what I do on a daily basis?" "Do they care?" It's time we make them pay attention to the value of audiology and speech-language pathology services.
"Let Your Voice Be Heard, Vote!" is a campaign that challenges all ASHA members to get involved with this upcoming election. Give an hour of your time at a phone bank, register voters, and help your community learn about the candidates. The individuals who win congressional elections this November will have an impact on your career, either directly or indirectly. Regardless of who has the majority in the House or Senate, the margins are expected to be very slim for the foreseeable future.
If work and family commitments prevent you for getting involved, we ask you to vote. Turnout tends to be low during the midterm elections, as demonstrated in recent primaries. However, with a small number of congressional races that will determine the balance of power, every vote truly counts in 2006. Visit our Web site for more information on the 2006 Elections and to read about two candidates our PAC has supported, Rep. Nancy Johnson (CT-05) and Maryland State Sen. Paula Hollinger.
Deb Darcy is director of grassroots advocacy. Contact her by e-mail at ddarcy@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4427. Stefanie Reeves is director of political advocacy. Contact her by e-mail at sreeves@asha.org or by phone at ext. 4452.
Rep. Nancy Johnson (R, CT-05)
Congresswoman Nancy L. Johnson has represented the 5th district of Connecticut in the U.S. House of Representatives since being elected in 1982. She is the third most senior representative on the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Chair of the Committee's Health Subcommittee, which oversees all Medicare-related legislation. Thus, the decisions that she makes has a direct impact on speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists who provide services to Medicare beneficiaries.
Although Johnson is a Chicago native, she moved to the East to attend Radcliffe College, and then moved to New Britain, CT. She was a teacher by trade, and began her political career when she was first elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1976. The 71-year-old is married, has three children, and 10 grandchildren.
Health care has been a main issue for Johnson. In 1997, she was the lead Republican working to establish the Children's Health Insurance Program. This program offers federal matching funds to states to provide health insurance to the children of certain low-income families. She also led the campaign in 2003 to overhaul the Medicare system and create Part D, which is the prescription drug program. She also has supported coverage for preventative care and chronic disease management.
In the upcoming election, Johnson is facing Chris Murphy, a Connecticut state senator. Unlike many other districts in the United States that vote heavily for one party, the 5th district of Connecticut was drawn by a bipartisan redistricting commission after the last census to favor neither the Republican nor Democratic party. It is especially important for ASHA members who reside in the 5th district of Connecticut to "Make Your Voice Heard," and vote!
Paula Hollinger: Candidate
Maryland State Sen. Paula Hollinger (D) served as chair of Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and the Health Subcommittee. Under her jurisdiction, legislation requiring certain insurance companies to provide coverage for hearing aids for children in Maryland was passed.
Hollinger is a nurse by training. She began life in public office when elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1979. She is married with three children and seven grandchildren. Hollinger has been regularly commended for her work within the Health Care Community, including being named Outstanding Legislator by the Alzheimer's Association and Legislator of the Year by the Maryland Association of Elder Law Attorneys
The health care community including ASHA supported Hollinger as she ran for the Democratic nomination in the Third Congressional District in Maryland currently held by Rep. Ben Cardin. She was the only candidate in the field of 10 who is an elected official. Even though she did not win the nomination on Sept. 12, she remains a key asset for ASHA, its members, and the populations they serve in the state of Maryland.
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