Update on the 2024 Election

Given the Republican sweep of the White House, Senate, and House (anticipated vote confirmation in days ahead) in the 2024 election, the outlook is dim for substantial opportunities in the lame-duck session to advance the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA). Previous meetings with staff from the Senate Finance Committee had indicated that any action in this area would be highly unlikely.

The bill to address the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) cuts might be included in a continuing resolution (CR) package, given the broad-based bipartisan support for increasing physicians’ reimbursement. There are rumors that Republicans might try to push something on Medicare, or move on appropriations bills, rather than pass a CR now and defer longer-term decisions to March. Given that Democrats currently hold the Senate, it would be challenging for anything to be accomplished quickly with the anticipated back-and-forth negotiations that would ensue.

MAAIA co-sponsor Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) lost his election and might want to push for last action on this or other legislative priorities. The AAA-ADA-ASHA collaborative will continue to look for opportunities to advance MAAIA and will follow up further with current sponsors for assistance. The collaborative is starting to look at a possible co-sponsor replacement for Cartwright.

Congress returns this week to debate the pending CR and begin the process of preparing for the 119th Congress. Republicans will decide who will lead in the U.S. Senate, as Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is stepping down from his post. In the running are Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), and John Thune (R-SD).

Senator Cornyn’s health care interests lie in patent reform of the pharmaceutical industry and addressing the opioid crisis. If he is successful, there may be opportunities for the Academy to work with him on third-party administrator legislation.

Senator Scott has mainly focused on funding social security and Medicare, but if the opportunity for raising reimbursement rates arise, the Academy will work for audiologists to be included.

Senator Thune has focused on physician reimbursements and rural health care, which could also create possibilities for the Academy to find common ground.

The Academy will monitor and advocate for these opportunities while also focusing on other outcomes of the election such as Senate confirmation hearings for Trump appointments, the calls for restructuring the National Institutes of Health, and appropriations, particularly for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.