ASHA Advocate: October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026

Advocates From Across the Country Attend ASHA’s 2026 Capitol Hill Day

ASHA Hill Day advocates More than 159 ASHA members and staff representing 41 states participated in 170 congressional meetings as part of ASHA's 2026 Capitol Hill Day. Participants highlighted the need to improve Medicare reimbursement, protect Medicaid, and preserve funding and programs that ensure access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. Participants also delivered more than 6,000 letters from ASHA members who could not participate in person. ASHA's advocacy team is busy responding to more than 107 offices who asked questions or wanted more information on the issues discussed during the meetings. Take action now to share your perspective on federal legislation impacting audiologists and SLPs.

Explore Resources for SLPs on Transitioning to New Treatment Codes

Following the American Medical Association’s (AMA) release of the 2027 code book, ASHA has added several new and refreshed resources to help SLPs prepare and reach out to payers, including:

CPT Code Surveys Will Hit Inboxes by October 15

Within the next week, ASHA will send out surveys to a random sample of audiologists and SLPs on behalf of AMA. Members should keep an eye on their inboxes for an email from noreply@qemailserver.com. These CPT code surveys are part of a routine process led by the AMA and aim to collect practicing professionals’ input on how much time and skill is needed to perform a service or procedure. The audiology survey will be sent to randomized members who administer audiometric tests. The speech-language pathology survey will be sent to randomized members who work with fiber endoscopic evaluation and swallowing function services. Survey links are unique to each recipient and should not be shared. Participation is crucial to ensure AMA has accurate information about these services. Learn more about CPT code surveys.

Check Out Webinar on the Future of Medicare

Join ASHA Advocacy on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (ET) for its “Medicare: Maintaining Compliance & Shaping its Future” webinar. Medicare experts will provide an overview of how Medicare works and the main challenges Medicare-enrolled providers face. The webinar will also highlight ASHA’s ongoing legislative initiatives to improve the payment system so it meets the needs of ASHA members and their patients. Live attendees can earn one professional development hour. The session will be recorded and available for viewing later on ASHA Stream.

HHS Proposes Sweeping Rewrite of Head Start Standards

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has proposed to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards. If finalized, these proposed changes would impact hearing screenings, restrict access to multilingual augmentative and alternative communication, and/or lead to misdiagnoses among children enrolled in these programs. ASHA has submitted comments [PDF] to HHS about this issue and continues to advocate against harmful changes to this essential program.

ASHA SLP Makes Her Voice Heard in Congressional Race

The race for Florida’s eighth Congressional District is heating up as Election Day approaches. Jennifer Jenkins, an ASHA-certified SLP and former Brevard County School Board member, recently debated incumbent Representative Mike Haridopolos, highlighting the importance of protecting Medicare and Medicaid while fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Jenkins, who previously shared her motivation for running for Congress with ASHA, is the Democratic nominee challenging Haridopolos in November’s general election. The ASHA-PAC Board of Directors unanimously voted to support both her primary and general election campaign.

ASHA Working for You

Supported efforts to preserve the integrity of the federal grantmaking process by signing a letter to congressional leaders opposing proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations that would give political appointees expanded veto power over grant funding that is inconsistent with the Administration’s political priorities.
Discussed LEAD-K and early intervention policy opportunities in Ohio by meeting with Sen. Weinstein (OH), the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA), the Ohio School for the Deaf, the Ohio Speech and Hearing Government Affairs Coalition, and the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
Presented on legislative efforts for the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) at the National Council of State Boards of Examiners annual conference, as well as the ASLP-IC Commission Annual Business Meeting.

Find more comments and testimony letters on ASHA's website.

Spotlight

Kudos to ASHA members and staff who met with Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester on Capitol Hill Day and who were featured in her newsletter, Let Me Be Blunt, in which she noted they “had good coffee and better conversations.”

Pictured (left to right) Megan Israelsen-Augenstein; Lindsay Creed, ASHA's Director, Audiology Practices; Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester; Julie Verhoff, ASHA's incoming Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy; and, Colleen Sheahan.

ASHA advocates with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester

Honor the Policymakers Who Help Advance Our Professions

Check your registration status, learn more about your candidates, and look up your local voting calendar to make sure you’re prepared to vote in the midterm election. Use ASHA’s Get Out the Vote tool to make a plan to vote today before November 3 is upon us!