ASHA Advocate: December 5, 2025
December 5, 2025
ASHA Capitol Hill Day 2025
Thanks to the hundreds of ASHA Advocates who participated in 262 congressional meetings as part of ASHA’s 2025 Capitol Hill Day! You pressed for action on important issues, such as ensuring that audiology and speech-language pathology degrees are defined as professional degrees so that you can qualify for higher loan limits and better finance your professional future. Your work is already paying dividends as lawmakers are cosponsoring key bills in response to your calls for action. Learn more about how you can keep the momentum going by contacting your federal representatives and demanding they support the professions.
Congressional Resolution Recognizes Audiologists and SLPs
Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks have introduced a resolution commemorating ASHA's centennial [PDF] and recognizing the positive impact that ASHA and our members have had on people with communication disorders over the past 100 years. The bill highlights that audiologists and SLPs are “making a positive difference in the quality of life for millions of individuals . . . from infants to older adults” and reaffirms ASHA’s belief that effective communication is a human right and should be accessible and achievable for all. Both senators have championed key policies beneficial to audiologists and SLPs, including fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and repealing harmful Medicaid funding cuts and program changes.
ASHA Continues Advocacy for Professional Recognition of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Degrees
News about the Department of Education potentially not recognizing the doctorate of audiology or masters in speech-language pathology as professional degrees—and the degrees of other health professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing—has caused concern and confusion about the possible implications for those seeking such degrees. ASHA recently distributed a resource about how the proposed definition of "professional degree" programs would exclude audiology and speech-language pathology and how advocates can partner with ASHA to ensure that these advanced degrees are properly recognized.
Advocates Help Protect Professional Licensure in Utah
Advocacy Win! Thank you to all our dedicated members in Utah who took action. On Wednesday, November 19, a hearing was held to review proposed legislative language that would have replaced licensure with a Utah state mandatory certification program. ASHA submitted written comments [PDF] for the hearing, and we are pleased to report that the draft legislation was amended to remove audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing instrument specialists from the proposed change. We will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates on next steps.
ASHA Honors Rep. Chris Campbell With 2025 Public Service Award
Indiana State Representative Chris Campbell has been selected to receive ASHA’s 2025 Public Service Award in recognition of her outstanding advocacy for audiology and speech-language pathology. A longtime champion for the professions, she has strengthened clinician-legislator engagement, supported the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Legislative Day, and advanced key policies—including legislation to expand cytomegalovirus (CMV) awareness and early intervention for Indiana families. ASHA is proud to honor her leadership and commitment to improving communication and hearing health across the state.
Help Define ASHA’s 2027–2028 Advocacy Focus
There’s one week left to help decide ASHA’s advocacy priorities! We’ve received only 799 of submissions, and the Advocacy Priorities Survey closes soon. Your input will directly influence ASHA’s 2027–2028 Public Policy Agenda and ensure your perspective helps shape our advocacy efforts.
Working for You
- ASHA member Stephanie Cohen recently used her social media platform to recount how ASHA prepared members for Capitol Hill Day and highlight how collaboration between ASHA and its members is key to advocacy success.
- ASHA's 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) resources for audiologists [PDF] and SLPs [PDF] are now available on ASHA’s Medicare outpatient payment webpage. These resources provide 2026 national payment rates and analyze the policies in the fee schedule to help audiologists and SLPs understand how any changes will affect them in 2026.
- ASHA is providing free coding and billing webinars to help audiologists and SLPs get ready for 2026. Get timely updates on new diagnosis and procedure codes, key changes to the 2026 Medicare fee schedule, and strategies for handling tricky billing scenarios. Register today for the live webinars: SLPs—December 11, 7–8 p.m. EST; audiologists—December 17, 7–8 p.m. EST.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the calendar year 2026 home health and hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rules, as well as the Medicare Advantage proposed rule for contract year 2027. ASHA is analyzing these rules and will provide summaries of key provisions impacting audiologists and SLPs.
Spotlight!
Members of the Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association followed up Capitol Hill Day by partnering with ASHA Advocacy to meet with their Washington federal legislators on issues important to audiologists and SLPs. Thank you, advocates!
