ASHA Advocate: August 29, 2025
August 29, 2025
ASHA Supports Legislation to Make Medicare Payment Improvements
ASHA is supporting the Prompt and Fair Pay Act (H.R. 4559), which would help secure fair and timely payment for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) treating patients covered by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The bill would prohibit MA plans from paying below traditional Medicare Part B rates and would implement enforceable standards for timely payments.
Bill to Preserve Access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Introduced
Access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is critical for many ASHA members working in schools, health care, and community-based settings. Therefore, ASHA is supporting the Strengthening Efforts for Relief and Vital Incentives for Community Service and Engagement (SERVICE) Act (H.R. 2829), which would:
- Reduce the number of qualifying payments from 10 to 8 years.
- Streamline repayment pathways.
- Ensure eligibility for borrowers performing public service jobs.
- Expand qualifying deferments and forbearances.
- Improve transparency.
AARP Endorses Medicare Audiology Bill
Efforts to improve Medicare beneficiary access to services audiologists provide got a boost recently when AARP, which represents the priorities of more than 100 million older Americans, endorsed the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (H.R. 2557/S. 1996) [PDF]. This endorsement gives new momentum to ASHA’s efforts to expand and streamline seniors’ access to audiology services. Learn more about this ASHA priority and how you can take action.
ASHA Is Working for You
- Met with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) staff to reinforce the need for guidance reaffirming that state licensure—including provisional licensure—meets the definition of a qualified SLP.
- Analyzed the potential impact of America’s AI Action Plan on the service delivery, documentation, and clinical decision making of audiologists and SLPs.
- Published a summary of updated Medicare payment policies for skilled nursing and inpatient rehabilitation facilities that take effect October 1, 2025.
- Opposed the proposed rules for speech-language associate certification in Georgia and recommended amendments to clarify the education, title, and scope requirements.
- Signed letters to the U.S. Department of Education urging recognition of audiology and speech-language pathology students as eligible for federal student loans under the “professional degree” designation and loan limits.
- Attended the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) annual meeting to gain direct insight into federal special education policies and funding priorities, and to engage directly with OSEP staff and other key stakeholders in special education.
- Participated in a gathering of medical association professionals for discussions on the impact of recent policy changes on funding and payment, workforce, ethical decision making, and artificial intelligence.
- Analyzed the recent Make Our Children Healthy Again strategy for potential implications to the professions.
Interested in seeing other comment letters ASHA has submitted? Visit our website.
Spotlight: ASHA in the News
The Hearing Journal recently highlighted ASHA’s advocacy in support of the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (H.R. 2557/S. 1996). The article emphasizes bipartisan momentum behind the bill and features ASHA’s Senior Director of Federal and Political Affairs, Jerry White, who noted that ASHA and partner associations have actively engaged lawmakers and mobilized members—resulting in more than 1,500 messages to Congress this year. Read The Hearing Journal call to ASHA members advocating for this bill.
