ASHA Advocate: August 11, 2022
August 11, 2022
The Top Line
After passage of the Inflation Reduction Act under special rules, the House and Senate will be in recess for most of August. ASHA is anticipating the imminent release of the final rule classifying over-the-counter hearing aids; stay tuned for more information. While most state legislatures have adjourned for the year, Delaware became the 23rd state to adopt the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact!
House Passes Telehealth Extension for Audiologists and SLPs
The House of Representatives passed the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 (H.R. 4040), which would extend Medicare telepractice authority for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) through December 31, 2024. While supportive of the bill, ASHA is working to add audiologists and SLPs to the list of permanent eligible Medicare telehealth providers. Take action now to support the Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 2168/S. 3193), which would give audiologists and SLPs permanent Medicare telehealth authority.
ASHA Supports Health Care Workplace Safety Bill
ASHA supports the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1195/S. 4182) that would require the Department of Labor to establish standards for health care and social service employers to prevent workplace violence. While health care workers were victims of 73% of all non-fatal injuries from workplace violence in 2018, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely worsened the situation, contributing to staffing shortages and reduced access to care.
Working for You
- ASHA helped craft a letter to congressional committee leaders [PDF] signed by more than 100 health care provider organizations calling on Congress to stop steep cuts to Medicare Part B reimbursement scheduled for next year. The letter highlights that the cuts “continue to generate significant instability for health care professionals moving forward, threatening beneficiaries’ timely access to essential health care services.” Take action to stop the cuts and check here for the latest updates.
- The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced an amended version of ASHA supported legislation [PDF], the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173/S. 3018), which would reform the use of prior authorization to prevent Medicare Advantage plans from improperly delaying or denying care provided by audiologists and SLPs. Prior authorization is intended to ensure clinically appropriate treatments, but inappropriate use as a utilization management tool creates undue administrative burdens for providers and limits access to care for patients. Take action now to support these reforms!
- ASHA and volunteers from the Colorado Speech-Language and Hearing Association attended the National Conference of State Legislators 2022 Summit. ASHA met with lawmakers and legislative staff from around the country to discuss issues affecting audiologists and SLPs, including the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, telepractice, and practitioner shortages, particularly in rural and indigenous lands.
Spotlight!
Thank you, Kelly, for volunteering your time and making an impact!
"There is so much we can accomplish when we all work together for the greater good."
—Kelly Ball, CCC-SLP, Government Affairs and Public Policy Board member.
