The Academy has identified a number of legislative [1] and regulatory [2] priorities related to issues being considered by Congress and federal agencies. By using the Academy’s Strategic Advocacy Plan (ASAP), these issues are prioritized to form the Academy’s legislative agenda. These priorities determine how the Government Relations Committee [3] and Government Relations staff focus their time and resources.

• Current Legislative Priorities [1]
• Current Regulatory Priorities [2]
• AMA SOP Data Series Response and Tool Kit Materials [4]
• Direct-to-Consumer Hearing Aid Model: Academy Efforts and Resources [5]

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[6]

Advocacy 2020: Year in Review

The 2020 edition [6] of the Academy Advocacy Year in Review provides an overview of the ways in which the Academy used its legislative, regulatory, and political resources to advocate for audiologists amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

The year began with a webinar for Academy members on expected 2020 advocacy topics as well as three student Capitol Hill visits before most in-person activity shut down in mid-March. Although the pandemic curtailed most if not all in-person interaction, activity on the advocacy front continued full force as the Academy sought out opportunities to help audiologists mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their practices as well as advance the existing legislative and regulatory priorities.

The year ahead promises to be a busy one particularly in light of the results of the 2020 elections. We will see the re-introduction of the Medicare Audiology Access and Services Act and continue to build upon the strides made during the last Congress.  We are likely to see renewed discussions regarding a potential hearing care benefit in Medicare, the release of proposed regulations to implement the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act as well as on-going efforts to mitigate 2021 Medicare reimbursement cuts to audiologists and other providers. 

Efforts will continue to secure the passage of legislation in additional states to implement the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Licensure Compact (ASLP-IC).  Once ten states pass the requisite implementing legislation, the compact will become operational and facilitate practitioner mobility and telehealth capabilities. The Academy will continue to advocate on all available fronts and actively seek out new opportunities to advance the interests and continued success of the profession.

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Past Years

Advocacy 2019: A Year in Review [7]

Advocacy 2018: A Year in Review [8]