February 24, 2025
ASHA has reviewed the initial executive orders signed by the new Administration that are most likely to impact you and your work in health and education. As of today, we have compiled summaries of 22 executive orders and shared the potential impact of each.
ASHA is closely monitoring and tracking issues most relevant to the professions and communicating with congressional partners and other key stakeholders. We will provide updates on current and new executive orders as well as any relevant legislation, regulations, or actions. Although it will take some time to understand the full impact of current and future executive orders, we remain firmly committed to advancing ASHA’s advocacy priorities, many of which support advocacy on issues directly impacted by the executive orders.
In the past month, over 5,600 ASHA advocates have written almost 36,000 letters to their representatives advocating for issues that impact the professions and the people you serve. Thank you, advocates! You can join us in taking action now to help influence the outcome of timely issues like protecting access to care under Medicaid, preserving the primary role of the U.S. Department of Education, and stopping Medicare payment cuts.
Join ASHA Advocacy on March 4, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m. (ET), for our free live webinar: Potential Medicaid Funding Changes Ahead: What Audiologists and SLPs Need to Know. Learn about Medicaid advocacy in the current political climate by getting a quick refresher on what Medicaid is, what ASHA is doing to help protect it, and how you can get involved. Webinar participants can receive one professional development hour. Sign up today.
A lawsuit filed by 17 states against the U.S. government argues that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is unconstitutional based on updated regulations from 2024. ASHA is very concerned about the lawsuit’s potential impact on people with disabilities across all health care and educational settings. The 17 state attorneys general and the Department of Justice will submit briefs by February 25, then a court will review them and make a ruling on whether the lawsuit will continue. Take Action today by sharing your concerns with your state attorney general!
ASHA-supported legislation, the Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151)—which would expand qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and professional certifications—has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would provide valuable tax-advantaged resources to audiologists and SLPs pursuing career growth, mid-career changes, or alternative career pathways. ASHA is a member of the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, whose mission is to advocate for beneficial workforce development policies. Take action now to support this bill!
Join ASHA and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) on March 6, 2025, for a virtual Student Advocacy Day! We’re coming together to ask Congress to protect vital programs and support policies that ensure college remains affordable for current and future students. Take action to support CSD students!
Advocacy win! As of February 14, Massachusetts has begun accepting provisional licensure applications. ASHA is proud to have supported the steadfast advocacy efforts of the Massachusetts Speech-Language Hearing Association over the past several years to make this happen! Are you going to be a CF in Massachusetts? Learn more here.
ASHA volunteer leaders and staff attended the American Medical Association’s CPT Editorial Panel meeting related to CPT code development to ensure audiology and speech-language pathology services are strongly represented. This process is vital to ensure CPT codes accurately describe the services ASHA members provide and reflect their professional skills and knowledge. Learn more at How a CPT Code Becomes a Code [PDF].