ASHA Advocate: October 6, 2022
October 6, 2022
The Top Line
Members of Congress have returned to their states and districts to campaign in advance of the upcoming midterm elections on Tuesday, November 8th. The outcome of the elections will determine how Congress addresses some “must pass” legislation by the end of the year, including funding for fiscal year 2023. Even though both chambers have recessed, ASHA’s advocacy continues.
ASHA wants to acknowledge and thank students nationwide participating in our annual Student Advocacy Day today! If you have not participated, yet, there is still time to take a few moments and be heard!
House Education Hearings Highlight Recruitment of Special Educators
The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing, Back to School: Meeting Students' Academic, Social and Emotional Needs, to explore how schools help students get back on track academically and address their social and emotional needs. Witnesses and committee members highlighted the importance of recruiting and retaining qualified personnel to serve students. ASHA supports the GROW SISPS Act (H.R. 7219), which would help school districts implement ‘Grow Your Own’ programs to recruit and retain speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other specialized instructional support personnel. Ask your House representative to cosponsor this bill!
House Passes Bill to Improve Use of Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage
The House has passed ASHA endorsed legislation, the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (S. 3173). If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would reduce the use of prior authorization by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to inappropriately delay or deny access to needed care, including audiology and speech-language pathology services. Take action now by emailing your Senators and urging them to pass this important legislation!
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
Working for You
- Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Chair of the House Republican Conference, cosponsored the Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 2168). Take action now to voice support for this bill!
- ASHA submitted comments [PDF] in response to a request for information from Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on building opportunities for work and inclusion for people with disabilities.
- The House passed the Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780), which included language ASHA supports to facilitate the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities.
- ASHA has joined 84 other organizations in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a children’s interagency coordinating council [PDF] within HHS to foster greater coordination, collaboration, and transparency on child policy across multiple federal agencies.
Spotlight!
"Advocacy means taking meaningful action towards change. I feel empowered when I exercise my voice to create a better future for our profession."
—Sheila Mathew, NSSLHA Member, Government Affairs and Public Policy Board member
