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 In my nine years at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the one question I routinely hear from ASHA members is, "What is ASHA-PAC?" You might have heard of it, but really don't know what a PAC is. A PAC, or political action committee, is an organization representing a specific cause or issue that raises money to support the election of a candidate. ASHA-PAC is another way ASHA members can advocate on behalf of issues related to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. By providing financial support to congressional candidates who are active and supportive of our issues, we help them continue their efforts by providing campaign funding for their election/reelection to Congress. ASHA-PAC also provides opportunities for ASHA members to meet one-on-one with members of Congress to discuss key issues.
ASHA-PAC is one leg of a three-legged legislative stool. Professional lobbying by the association educates members of Congress on why they should support our issues. Grassroots advocacy by ASHA members puts the issues into perspective. However, neither lobbying nor grassroots advocacy are effective if those key members of Congress are not elected or reelected to Congress. ASHA-PAC helps ensure that those key members stay in office to continue their advocacy of our issues.
Some of the most recent issues where ASHA-PAC helped achieve success include:
- private practice speech-language pathologists gaining the ability to bill Medicare directly;
- passage of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention legislation in the House; and
- moving legislation for a Student Loan Forgiveness program forward.
ASHA-PAC is solely funded by voluntary individual contributions from ASHA members. Members can make a contribution online or by participating in ASHA-PAC's installment plan. All contributions make a difference and can help create new successes such as getting Direct Access to Audiologists or repealing the Therapy Caps. Isn't that worth your daily cup of Starbucks coffee? Please consider making a contribution to ASHA-PAC today!
For more information on ASHA-PAC, to make a contribution, or to sign up for the installment plan, please contact me, Stefanie Reeves, ASHA's Director of Political Advocacy, at 800-498-2071, ext. 5613 or pac@asha.org.
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