Advocacy Updates
Letter Writing Campaign
Join ASHA and TAASLP in an advocacy letter writing campaign!
Tell the 118th Congress to Support Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services by completing this quick online letter that can be sent to TN Senator Marsha Blackburn, TN Senator Bill Hagerty and Representative Diana Harshbarger.
From ASHA: “The newly elected members of the 118th Congress have been sworn in and activity has resumed on Capitol Hill. Now is a great time to help educate new members of Congress on how audiologists and SLPs help people with communication disorders.
You can send a message to Congress familiarizing them with ASHA and your work so that they are more aware of issues impacting audiologists and SLPs. It’s a great way to help lay the groundwork for reintroducing bills that were not enacted during the last congressional term and now must be reintroduced in the new Congress.
Please complete the form and send a message to your U.S. Senators and Representative urging them to protect access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.”
Thank you for being an advocate for the professions!
To learn more, visit:
https://www.asha.org/advocacy/takeaction/
TAASLP Day on the Hill 2023
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Join us in-person and represent our key service bills!
Our TAASLP Day on the Hill is scheduled in-person in Nashville for Tuesday, February 7th.
TAASLP will have a table in the Capital lobby where we will distribute information and connect with legislators (talking points will be provided).
We also have a small conference room reserved from 11am-1pm CST to have lunch with some key legislators and a few TAASLP members.
This Day on the Hill event will focus on licensure timelines and working with the Department of Health licensure board.
Our advocacy team and lobbyist are continuing to work on other strategic initiative items, including: Medicaid reimbursements, Medicare access, and School Workloads/Compensation.
However, the focus of our day with legislators will be related to licenses and improved timelines.
If you are interested in joining us for the in-person TAASLP Day on the Hill, please contact the VP of Legislative Affairs, Jessica Lenden-Holt at jlh@mysidekicktherapy.com
Current Projects
- TAASLP is currently analyzing school SLP caseload data, with an end goal of introducing caseload or workload caps in Tennessee
- TAASLP continues to monitor on going changes to the Affordable Care Act in Tennessee and its effect on provision of services by audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- TAASLP is participating in developing rule regarding telepractice for audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- New Laws of Special Interest to TAASLP
Accomplishments
2019 – Assisted in the repeal of the Professional Privilege Tax for 15 of the original 22 professions, including Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists
2019 – Introduced successful legislation which established a provisional license for SLP Clinical Fellows (CFs), allowing them to be reimbursed by Medicare and other third-party payers
2015 – Introduced legislation to repeal the Professional Privilege Tax. Our efforts contributed to the study that is being signed into law (as of 4.22.16)
2011 – Received ASHA STAR grant for developing student advocacy participation at the state level. Conducted ‘Day on the Hill’ event for undergraduate and graduate students from across the state
2011 – Legislation mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids for children passed
2007 – Legislation explicitly allowing speech-language pathologists to perform endoscopy passed
Advocated for legislation mandating newborn hearing screening
Advocated for insurance mandate for autism coverage
If you would like to be involved in the Legislative Affairs Committee, or would like to discuss current and/or prospective legislation, please contact TAASLP VP Legislative Affairs at info@taaslp.org
Thanks for all you do to support infants, children, and adults with communication, balance, and swallowing disorders!