ASHA Advocate: January 9, 2026
January 9, 2026
New Year, Same Mission
Although the new year has just begun, ASHA Advocacy is as committed as ever to advancing policy priorities benefitting audiologists and SLPs and those you serve. Two immediate priorities are maintaining Medicare telehealth authority (which currently expires on January 30 without congressional action) and ensuring that CSD students pursuing audiology and speech-language pathology degrees can borrow the funds necessary to finance their education under new loan limits set to take effect this summer.
Learn more about these and other advocacy priorities and take action on key legislative and policy issues impacting your profession and patients, clients, and students!
Review CMS’ Final Rules for 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several final rules that impact ASHA members and affiliates in 2026 and beyond. ASHA has carefully reviewed each rule and provided a summary of important items of consideration for audiologists and SLPs in:
CMS also published a final rule related to Medicare Advantage and announced a small-scale project for select providers in six states using AI to facilitate prior authorizations. We encourage practitioners to review the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule as there are provisions that impact both professions, especially the new hearing aid services codes and continued payment reductions for outpatient services.
Last Chance to Help Define ASHA’s 2027–2028 Advocacy Priorities
There’s still time left to help decide ASHA’s advocacy priorities! Your input will directly influence ASHA’s 2027–2028 Public Policy Agenda and ensure your perspective helps shape our advocacy efforts. But hurry, the survey closes January 31.
ASHA Escalates Fight for Higher Loan Limits for Audiologists and SLPs
ASHA’s push to persuade Congress and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to classify audiology and speech-language pathology degrees as “professional degrees” under a new federal law intensified over the past month. In December, Congressman Tim Kennedy (D-NY) introduced legislation to provide loan parity for audiologists and SLPs so that CSD students can more easily finance their graduate studies. A National NSSLHA member who participated in ASHA’s recent Capitol Hill Day was featured at the press conference introducing the legislation. Members of Congress from both parties weighed in for the professions with the Administration.
ASHA will submit comments in response to a proposed regulation that ED is expected to release soon. ASHA will also provide members with opportunities to make the case to the Administration that audiologists and SLPs are professionals whose degrees should be considered as such. But you don’t have to wait for release of the loan limit regulation to take action to ensure access to professional degree loans for CSD students!
Working for You
- ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke was quoted in a press release about the introduction of the Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals (LEAP) Act that would ensure loan parity for all post-baccalaureate degrees.
- Sent letters to Florida House of Representatives members [PDF] supporting a bill that would require the Florida Department of Education to create and maintain a strategic plan to recruit and retain SLPs.
- Submitted comments to the North Carolina licensure board [PDF] and Oregon licensure board [PDF] on proposed regulations for speech-language pathology assistants in their respective states.
- ASHA’s Health Care Economics Committee hosted webinars for audiologists and SLPs on 2026 coding and billing updates.
- Hosted a webinar recapping ASHA’s state advocacy in 2025.
Spotlight!
North Carolina SLP and private practice owner Stephanie Molina went on the news to bring attention to how Medicaid payment reductions are straining her ability to sustain operations, pay staff, and continue providing essential communication services to children and adults in her community. Following a slew of advocacy and media attention, Governor Stein rolled back the Medicaid reductions. Thank you for your advocacy, Stephanie!
