ASHA Federal Advocacy Issues
Issue Briefs
Medicare Outpatient Therapy Caps
Ensure Medicare patients access to medically necessary services. Congress must ensure that Medicare patients continue to have access to medically necessary speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy services and that rehabilitation providers can operate in a state of certainty regarding their future Medicare participation. Congress should also encourage the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with stakeholders to develop an appropriate payment system for outpatient therapy services. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on Medicare Therapy Caps [PDF].
Protect Children with Disabilities: Protect IDEA Funding
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides a free, appropriate, public education for all children with disabilities, including speech, language, and hearing disorders. Ensure that IDEA continues on the pathway to full funding by rejecting any cuts to the program. By appropriating adequate funding for IDEA, Congress will help to ensure that many students with disabilities will not fall between the education cracks and go on to not only receive secondary education but also to thrive as adults. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on the IDEA Funding [PDF].
Professional Accountability Value Added Assessment and Differentiated Compensation
Congress should consider the following if they decide to include differentiated compensation systems in educational policies related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: state and local education agencies must design differentiated compensation systems with meaningful input from all school-based professionals to assure they meet the unique needs and circumstances of the school-based professionals; all school professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists, should be meaningfully included in and eligible for differentiated compensation systems and performance incentives; elements of a differentiated compensation system must be open and transparent so SLPs and audiologists understand the expectations for their performance and potential rewards; and reasonable expectations for student growth, given the services and supports provided, must be the basis of any differentiated compensation and the awarding of other incentives. Learn more about the legislation; read the full issue brief on Value Added Assessment [PDF].
Expand Parents Right-to-Know Authority
As part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Congress should require public disclosure to parents of the qualifications of their child’s pupil services provider, including speech-language pathologists and audiologists, working in Title I schools. Learn more about the legislation; read the full issue brief on Parents Right-to-Know [PDF].
Early Intervening Services
Congress should ensure that Early Intervening Services (EIS) are specifically authorized and funded in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Learn more about the legislation; read the full issue brief on Early Intervening Services [PDF].
Medicare Hearing Health Services Provided by Audiologists
Under current Medicare law, audiology services are recognized only as part of the diagnostic test benefit. That is, there is no specific audiology benefit provided in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Medicare coverage of audiologic services to determine hearing loss and provide for rehabilitative services would help older Americans to better understand their hearing needs, allow for proper referral to a medical specialist as well as proper fitting and adjustment to their hearing devices. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on the Audiologists Involvement in Hearing Health under Medicare [PDF].
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit
Provides assistance to those most in need of these hearing aid devices but who are unable to afford them. Support legislation that would provide a tax credit of up to $500 per hearing aid, once every five years, for parents purchasing a hearing aid for a dependent child or persons over 55. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on the Hearing Aid Tax Credit [PDF].
Medicare Telepractice Coverage For Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services
Telepractice is the delivery of audiology and speech-language pathology services from a distance via telecommunications technology. Research and reports to date confirm that appropriately delivered telepractice services are comparable to those delivered face-to-face. That is, the services provided must be equivalent to the quality of services delivered face-to-face. Support legislation in the 112th Congress that would recognize telepractice (telemedicine, telehealth, telespeech, teleaudiology) as an appropriate model of service delivery for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology under the Medicare program. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on Telepractice [PDF].
Language and Hearing: The Basis of Literacy and Reading
Recognize SLPs and audiologists as service providers under federal legislation and programs. Allow local school districts to use professionals, such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists, who are already working in their schools, as recognized providers of service under federal literacy legislation/programs. Some bills, such as The Literacy Education for All and Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act, do not reflect the integral role that speech-language pathologists and audiologists play in improving language and literacy skills in children, and should be revised to do so. Learn more about this legislation; read the full issue brief on the Language and Literacy [PDF].