On July 16, 2021, the Nova Southeastern University Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) chapter held their annual Capitol Hill Day through a completely virtual format. Students and professors started out the day with an advocacy overview with the Academy’s Senior Director of Government Relations Susan Pilch, JD.

Students, professors, and Academy staff then attended virtual meetings with the offices of five senators and one congressman: Senator Cornyn (TX), Senator King (ME), Senator Gillibrand (NY), Senator Warnock (GA), Senator Toomey (PA), and Representative Golden (ME). During these meetings, Nova student audiologists focused on highlighting the importance of the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act (MAASA) of 2021 (H.R. 1587/S. 1731).

They impressed upon the members of these congressional offices that this legislation would modernize how Medicare approaches audiology and would: re-classify audiologists from “supplier” to “practitioner,” allow audiologists to provide and be reimbursed for both diagnostic and treatment services, and allow beneficiaries to directly access the services of an audiologist.

The student audiologists also provided an overview and highlighted the key points of the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3320/S. 1679) and Ally’s Act (H.R. 477/S. 41). This was the first visit with Capitol Hill staff for many of the students and they were very pleased to be able to advocate for the profession of audiology and share their points of view.

Share this

Related Posts

The Academy Political Action Committee Paints to Support MAASA

On October 14, the Academy’s Political Action Committee (PAC) Advisory Board held a virtual “paint and sip” fundraiser to raise funds for the PAC. Participants who provided a donation to the PAC received all of the requisite painting materials and were able to connect with fellow audiologists in a fun class led by an experienced artist. …

Read More
Advocates Take Action

Advocates Take Action!

Thank you to all of our member advocates for answering our call and taking legislative action! Since our successful Virtual Hill Day on September 28, H.R.1587—the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2021 (MAASA) has gained three additional cosponsors.  We are happy to report that our members have sent 635 letters to 202 different senators…

Read More
FDA Released Proposed Rule for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and New Draft Guidance for Personal Sound Amplification Products

FDA Released Proposed Rule for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and New Draft Guidance for Personal Sound Amplification Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released the long-awaited proposed regulations for the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The Federal Register notice this morning includes the pre-publication release of the proposed rule, “Medical Devices: Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids,” for public inspection and notes that the FDA will accept comments for the…

Read More