New Congressional Leadership and Lame-Duck Session Update

As Congress returns this week to finish up the lame-duck session and begin organizing for the 119th Congress, Republicans have elected Senator John Thune (R-SD) to lead them in the Senate. Thune has been deeply concerned about rural health issues and how physicians are reimbursed. In the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson (R-LA) will return as speaker of the House.

The Academy expects Congress to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government into March 2025, and pass the National Defense Authorization Act before the end of the year. While these two must-pass legislative vehicles do not easily lend themselves to incorporating the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act legislation, the Academy will monitor and pursue any opportunity that presents itself.