Executive Orders: Federal Government Functions
Last updated February 12, 2025
Below are executive orders and actions related to federal government functions that are most likely to impact the professions and those you serve. Some executive orders rescind executive orders from previous Administrations. ASHA will update this information periodically.
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ASHA is providing this information to its members and others for educational purposes only. The information provided on this webpage should not be construed or relied on as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before making any decisions regarding this information.
Summary: Executive Order 14094 [PDF], issued April 2023 by a previous Administration, pushed the U.S. Office of Management & Budget (OMB) and federal agencies to incorporate technological advances into the rulemaking process, increase engagement with traditionally underrepresented parties, provide OMB greater discretion over its rulemaking review, and allow agencies to analyze a wider range of benefits and costs, likely justifying additional regulation.
Impact: Regulatory actions coming out of federal agencies (e.g., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) could potentially be made without sufficient input from various stakeholders, including affected communities, officials, private sector entities, experts, and the general public. Public participation opportunities might not be equitable or meaningful, especially for underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities. This could also mean less involvement from associations, including ASHA, to provide comments and input to shape policies that could directly impact audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
Status: On January 28, 2025, the new Administration issued Executive Order 14148, which was published in the Federal Register [PDF]; thereby rescinding all provisions previously established in Executive Order 14094.
Summary: Issued on January 20, 2025, as a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, this presidential document mandates a regulatory freeze across all executive departments and agencies within the federal government, prohibiting the proposal or issuance of new rules until they are reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee.
Impact: This freeze could impact the release or implementation of regulations and guidance related to a wide range of federal programs audiologists and SLPs are involved in across settings including—but not limited to—early intervention, K-12 and higher education, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), and the Veteran’s Administration. For example, a proposed regulation that would provide greater oversight of the use of prior authorization by MA plans could be put on hold indefinitely, impacting access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Status: On January 28, 2025, this Memorandum was published in the Federal Register [PDF] and is in effect.
Summary: Issued on January 20, 2025, as a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, this presidential document implements a hiring freeze of civilian federal employees, which applies to all executive departments and agencies. Military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety are excepted from the freeze. In addition, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must submit a plan to reduce the federal workforce within 90 days of the release of the executive order. The hiring freeze will expire when OMB releases its plan.
Impact: This could impact the federal government’s ability to execute basic government operations, including the development of regulations. It could also impact filling vacancies in health care-related positions, including audiologists and SLPs, in federally funded settings such as Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. The inability to fill vacancies in the VA and other federally funded settings would impact access to health care.
Status: On January 28, 2025, this Memorandum was published in the Federal Register [PDF] and is now in effect.
Summary: This executive action establishes the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to provide guidance on science, technology, education, and innovation, with a focus on transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. The PCAST will terminate two years from the date of this order unless the President extends it.
Impact: In conjunction with rescission of the previous Administration’s executive order on AI, there is the potential for reduced regulation and oversight of AI technologies. For example, this could make it more difficult for providers and ASHA to advocate against or appeal algorithm and AI use by payers in prior authorization decision making. This could also perpetuate existing biases by using biased data to train generative and predictive AI. Unregulated use of AI or biased AI-generated algorithms will also impact research that informs the evidence base for practice in health care, including for audiology and speech-language pathology. Without standards for AI consumer protections, clinicians will have to create their own standards and guidance as they choose tools to use in clinical practice and ensure they understand their professional liability when using AI-informed tools.
