ASHA Advocate: April 4, 2025
April 4, 2025
Trump Administration Aims to Dismantle Department of Education
On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to do everything in her power to shut down the Department of Education (ED). While fully abolishing ED seems unlikely to happen, the Administration can still make changes that will impact audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in schools. It’s difficult to predict exactly how McMahon will carry out the order, but ASHA Advocacy anticipates that the Administration will develop a legislative plan to eliminate ED, shift certain programs and responsibilities to other federal agencies, and reduce funding and resources for others. Read our news piece to learn more and take action to protect ED!
Legislation Introduced to Improve Interstate Compact Operations
The States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act (H.R. 2332/S. 1101) has been reintroduced in Congress to cut federal red tape that delays interstate compacts from issuing practice privileges across state lines. The bill addresses an inconsistent interpretation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about whether interstate licensing statutes comply with federal law and, consequently, whether the FBI can share criminal history background check information with a state licensing authority to facilitate the compact’s operation. Enactment will allow states to fully participate in the Audiology & Speech-Language-Pathology Interstate Compact and issue privileges to practice. Take action now to support the SHARE Act.
ASHA Continues Push for Medicare Payment Increase
Congress passed legislation to fund the federal government through September 30, 2025. Although the law extended Medicare telehealth authority for audiologists and SLPs through that period, it did not reverse Medicare Part B payment cuts that took effect at the start of the year. It’s not clear whether, when, or how Congress may address these cuts moving forward, but Congress may tackle the issue later this year. Learn more in our news piece and take action to reverse the cuts!
ASHA-PAC Launches Spring Fundraising Campaign
ASHA-PAC’s spring fundraising campaign, Spring into PAC-tion, gives ASHA members who donate $20 an opportunity to win a bouquet of flowers sent to an address of their choosing. Members who contribute $100 or more (to celebrate ASHA’s Centennial) get a chance to win a bouquet every month for a year. Donate BEFORE April 30 to help us grow the PAC and support our work on Capitol Hill—and get a chance to win one of these great gifts! Visit ASHA-PAC to learn more about our work and the drawing rules.
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Working for You
- Signed a letter from the Modern Medicaid Alliance (along with 95 other organizations) opposing Medicaid cuts [PDF]. ASHA Advocacy will continue to fight for Medicaid next week during the Medicaid Week of Action!
- Helped draft and signed a letter [PDF] from the Patient Access to Responsible Care Alliance to congressional leaders opposing proposed Medicaid funding cuts.
- Signed a letter [PDF] developed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Implementation Coalition to House and Senate education committee leaders opposing any efforts to move administration of IDEA out of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Attended a forum on National Institutes of Health funding cuts hosted by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
- Released the 2024 ASHA-PAC annual report [PDF] that details PAC operations and disbursements.
- Attended Capitol Hill meetings emphasizing the importance of telehealth and interprofessional collaborative practice in health care.
- Held an Assistant Member Advisory Group meeting with representatives from around the country to discuss challenges and opportunities facing assistants and their supervisors.
- Submitted a letter opposing Montana House Bill 744 [PDF], which allows unlicensed audiology aides and speech-language pathology aides to be employed in school districts by reinstating a category of paraprofessionals that was eliminated in 2021 legislation.
- Submitted a letter opposing Alabama House Bill 441 [PDF], which reduces the education requirement for those assisting in the practice of speech-language pathology (e.g., speech-language pathology assistants) from a bachelor’s degree to an associate’s degree.
- Submitted a letter commenting on Rhode Island Senate Bill 471 [PDF], which registers speech-language pathology assistants and removes the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence as a requirement for licensure renewal.
- Co-presented with the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association on advocating for a salary supplement.
Spotlight!
Thank you to members of ASHA’s Medicaid Committee, who participated in 12 congressional meetings last week! During their meetings, members discussed how proposed funding reductions and other changes to Medicaid (such as block grants, per capita caps, and work requirements) would reduce access to audiology and speech-language pathology services for Medicaid beneficiaries and should be rejected. Take action now to join their efforts to protect Medicaid!
