Academy Presents Inaugural AAA National Health Leadership Award to Representative Bilirakis

Today, Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director of the American Academy of Audiology, presented the inaugural AAA National Hearing Health Leadership Award to Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in recognition of his leadership and longstanding commitment to advancing hearing health policy and improving patient access to care.

A key factor in Representative Bilirakis’s selection as the inaugural recipient was his championing of the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA). As a leader on this legislation, Bilirakis has worked to modernize Medicare coverage by removing unnecessary physician referral requirements, expanding patient access to audiology services, and ensuring seniors can receive timely, high-quality hearing care.

“Representative Bilirakis has been a steadfast champion for hearing health and a driving force behind the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act,” said Gallagher. “His leadership has helped move this critical legislation forward and brought us closer to meaningful improvements in access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

The presentation underscores the Academy’s ongoing collaboration with Representative Bilirakis and other congressional leaders to advance policies that support patients, strengthen the audiology workforce, and recognize hearing and balance care as essential components of overall health.