ASHA Advocate: October 30, 2026
October 30, 2026
Register for ASHA Advocacy’s Free December Webinars
Join ASHA Advocacy for five free webinars covering new CPT codes, the midterm elections, and more in December. Live attendees can earn professional development hours for each course. Sessions will be recorded for later viewing.
- Applying the New Speech-Language Pathology Treatment Codes: Clinical Scenarios and Implementation – December 2, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m. (ET)
- Navigating 2027: Your Roadmap to Audiology Coding and Billing Success – December 3, 2026, 7-8 p.m. (ET)
- Overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule – December 7, 2026, 7-8 p.m. (ET)
- The 2026 Midterm Elections: Post-Election Policy and Political Landscape – December 8, 2026, 7-8 p.m. (ET)
- Navigating 2027: Your Roadmap to Speech-Language Pathology Coding and Billing Success – December 10, 2026, 7-8 p.m. (ET)
Medicaid Committee Creates New Tool to Help Prepare for Potential Medicaid Audits
Heightened scrutiny of the Medicaid program related to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has increased the risk of denials, audits, and recoupments for services. As documentation deficiencies are a leading cause of these actions, ASHA’s Medicaid Committee developed a toolkit to help members prepare themselves. The toolkit covers key terminology, medical necessity, SMART goals, considerations for school-based professionals, red flags, and additional tips and tricks.
ASHA Opposes Changes to Disability-Relevant Questions in the National Health Interview Survey
Students Send 4,600+ Letters to Legislators on Medicaid
For Student Advocacy Day on October 22, members of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) rallied behind Medicaid to send over 4,600 letters to legislators urging them to protect access to and funding for Medicaid. Thank you to NSSLHA members for engaging in advocacy on an issue so important to audiologists, SLPs, and the people they serve!
ASHA Working for You
- Spread awareness about the new speech-language pathology treatment codes by presenting at the National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies (NARA) Fall 2026 conference. ASHA member and Health Care Economics Committee Co-Chair Renee Kinder used the opportunity to ensure SLPs and employers are preparing for successful implementation.
- Supported state association and student advocacy by collecting 27 state speech-language-hearing association applications for state student engagement grants. Applications are now under review.
- Continued building support for key legislation by reinforcing asks ASHA advocates made on Capitol Hill Day, which has helped secure 49 new cosponsors on 17 bills over the past month.
- Supported student access to learning tools and supports by submitting comments [PDF] to the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to review the E-Rate program.
- Shared relevant information with the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee by submitting comments [PDF] with proposed studies to consider.
Find more comments and testimony letters on ASHA's website.
Spotlight
Ashleigh Pristas, MS, CCC-SLP, PNAP, ASHA member and regional director of clinical services for Restore Therapy Services, recently participated in a podcast hosted by the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN). Ashleigh highlighted the critical role of SLPs in helping skilled nursing facilities and Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinators to accurately and comprehensively code treatment and diagnostic services on the MDS and claims to ensure SLPs’ value is fully realized, drive appropriate reimbursement, and successfully advocate for improvements to the Patient Driven Payment Model.
Visit ASHA Advocacy at Convention
Heading to ASHA Convention in Indianapolis? Stop by the ASHA Advocacy and ASHA-PAC booth, #1169, in the exhibit hall to talk to staff about all things advocacy. Pick up educational materials, take a photo on the Capitol steps, and write a postcard to your legislators thanking them for representing you in the 120th Congress.
