ASHA Member Advocacy: An Overview
What Is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the essential and necessary means by which ASHA and affiliated state associations support and advance the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology in the areas of public policy, political action and popular opinion.
Why is Advocacy Essential?
Advocacy is used to:
- educate;
- inform; and
- persuade
…others to support our issues!
Why is Advocacy Necessary?
“If you are wondering whether or not to communicate your views…, consider that others who disagree with you are doing so constantly.”
Keys to Successful Advocacy
- Member “buy in” and active participation
- Accountability
- Communication and collaboration
- Evaluation
- Flexibility
- Perseverance
- Patience
ASHA Advocacy
Begins with the annual ASHA Public Policy Agenda, which identifies “what” public policy issues are important to the professions
Priority areas include:
- Workforce
- Payment and Coverage
- Service Delivery and Access
ASHA Advocacy
- Continues with ASHA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) cluster, which identifies “how” the Public Policy Agenda’s priorities can be meaningfully advanced in the current political and fiscal climate – both in Washington and in state capitals nationwide
- The GAPP cluster identifies concrete objectives to achieve for each priority
- Each objective has a strategy that includes engaging ASHA members as partners in advocacy!
You Make A Difference!
Members have the strongest voice when it comes to advocacy:
- Share your professional/personal stories about how issues impact you and those you serve
- Exercise your right as a constituent (and someone who votes) to let your voice be heard
Successful Advocacy Produces Results
- Repeal of the cap on therapy services under Medicare, Part B
- Bipartisan effort in Congress to expand Medicare coverage of and improve access to audiology services
- Increases in school funding
- Equitable health care payment rates
- Multi-state effort to establish an interstate compact
- Bipartisan effort in Congress to support a diversified workforce
Take Action By
- Responding to email action alerts and sending a message to your lawmakers and policymakers
- Visiting ASHA's Take Action page to see how you can help ASHA advocate for the professions
- Donate to ASHA-PAC
ASHA Resources
ASHA has a team of 20 government affairs and public policy professionals who can assist you with your advocacy planning and advocacy needs! Contact ASHA staff at federal@asha.org.
