As a PSHA member, you can “take action”. Below is a link to the current federal advocacy efforts. If you can’t find your area of concern, there is a template for writing a letter to a legislator.
This bipartisan legislation, developed collaboratively, would allow individuals to voluntarily include a communication impairment designation on their driver’s license, state-issued ID, and in the Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) electronic records. This renewed effort builds on work that began five years ago, in response to concerns from constituents and advocacy groups.
In both of our districts, this issue has had unnecessary consequences. In one case, a constituent who was hard of hearing was stopped by law enforcement, creating unnecessary confusion for both parties involved. In another, what should have been a routine encounter tragically ended in the loss of life. Interactions with law enforcement can be stressful under any circumstances. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, autistic, or have other communication impairments, these encounters can quickly become overwhelming and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania remains behind the curve. At least 32 other states, including, most recently, Maryland, have implemented voluntary designations for communication impairments on IDs or licenses, often specifically recognizing deafness, hearing loss, or autism. It is time for our Commonwealth to join this growing, bipartisan movement with a simple, voluntary, and potentially lifesaving measure.
Read PSHA’s letter of support: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15QJFpBZGIa5yuQTeirpTcaPqEZfvliOe/edit
Take Action: Call your State Senator and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of this bill (or thank them if they are already co-sponsors!).
Visit: https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator to contact your Senator!
Bill Description: On May 13, 2025, PSHA, alongside Tri Alliance members from ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association), APTA-PA (American Physical Therapy Association of Pennsylvania, AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association), and POTA (Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association) sent a letter to Pennsylvania lawmakers urging them to help us increase the Medicaid fee schedule for therapists. Please contact your legislator to encourage them to support our efforts.
PSHA’s Position: Support
Link to letter we created: Letter
Take Action: Copy this text and send to your legislator:
I’m a speech-language pathologist asking for your support to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for therapy services in Pennsylvania. Rates have been stagnant for over three decades, and providers are struggling to stay afloat. Many are forced to limit or stop accepting Medicaid, leaving children and adults with long waitlists or no care at all.
Access to therapy is worsening for over 3 million Pennsylvanians on Medicaid/CHIP. Studies show that early therapy reduces long-term costs and improves quality of life, especially for individuals with disabilities, autism, or post-stroke needs.
SLPs and other therapy providers want to serve Medicaid patients—but we need fair rates and less red tape. Please support funding increases and policy changes to improve access to vital therapy services.
Bill Description: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists provide vital services to people of all ages with hearing, speech, and language-related disorders. However, increased demand for these essential services has led to a shortage of audiology and speech-language pathology providers in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania residents who require diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring for hearing or speech disorders should be able to access the care they need. That is why we plan to introduce legislation that would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Joining this compact will give patients greater access to audiologists and speech-language pathologists by providing a pathway for these practitioners to obtain authorization to practice in states where they do not hold a license.
To date, 34 states have joined the ASLP-IC, including neighboring states such as Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia. Should Pennsylvania join the compact, audiologists and speech-language pathologists in those states would easily acquire the ability to practice in the Commonwealth and vice versa.
Link to the bill language or memo: bill language
PSHA’s Position: Support
Link to letter we created: letter
Take Action: Help build support for the Interstate Compact! Please call your PA House Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HB 80: “Authorizing Pennsylvania to Join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.” This bill would simplify interstate practice of speech language pathology and audiology while still providing for robust consumer protections. Find your state rep here and a sample script here. You may also want to share this informational graphic and this issue brief from ASHA.
Posted July 2, 2025
Yesterday, the Senate voted and passed their version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and we’re engaging our grassroots in a final push to oppose some of the most damaging healthcare policies it includes. Yesterday, we sent targeted emails to members in WV, ME, MO, and AK because their Senators initially signaled their reservations with the legislation. This morning, we sent messages to members in key districts in CA, NE, PA, WA, and AZ encouraging them to contact their representatives who will be voting today or tomorrow in the House on this issue.
Let’s be clear, this will probably pass and be signed into law by the end of this week. We recognize our members could be negatively impacted by many of the provisions and their voices deserve to be heard. Please take time to use our take action site to contact your Members of Congress and encourage your networks to do the same.
Summary of the Issues: Concerning Budget Bill Advances in U.S. House; Action Moves to Senate [1]
ASHA Take Action: ashaa.quorum.us/campaign/obbba25/ [2]
Here’s to keeping up the good fight to protect audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are urging Senator McCormick to cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act because underfunding directly affects their ability to provide essential services to students with disabilities. Without adequate federal support, schools struggle to hire and retain qualified SLPs, leading to larger caseloads and limited access to individualized care. Fully funding IDEA would help ensure students receive the communication support they need to thrive academically and socially.
Bill Description: The IDEA Full Funding Act seeks to fulfill Congress’s promise to fund 40% of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For 50 years, Congress has fallen short, now covering less than 12%, with a $39 billion gap in the 2024–2025 school year alone. Backed by over 90 bipartisan lawmakers and 60+ national groups, the bill would mandate funding increases to reach the 40% goal and support equitable education for students with disabilities.
Link to the bill language or memo: bill language
PSHA’s Position: Support
Link to letter we created: letter
Take Action: Contact Senator McCormick and ask him to sign on as a cosponsor of this bill!
Sample Script:
Subject Line: Please cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act
Dear Senator McCormick,
I am writing as a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and advocate for students with disabilities to respectfully urge you to cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act. This vital legislation aims to fulfill the federal government’s long-standing promise to fund 40% of the excess cost of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—a commitment that, for nearly five decades, has never been met.
As an SLP, I work directly with students who depend on IDEA services for access to a free and appropriate public education. However, due to chronic underfunding—currently less than 12% of the promised amount—schools are often forced to make difficult choices. This shortfall leads to high caseloads, fewer resources, and limited time to provide the individualized care that students with disabilities need to thrive. In the 2024–2025 school year alone, this funding gap is projected to exceed $39 billion nationwide.
Fully funding IDEA would directly benefit students who require speech-language services by allowing schools to invest in more staff, updated materials, and appropriate supports. It would also help reduce burnout among professionals like myself who are committed to providing high-quality care but often stretched too thin.
More than 90 bipartisan lawmakers and over 60 national organizations support this legislation. I hope you will join them by cosponsoring the IDEA Full Funding Act and taking a meaningful step toward educational equity for all students.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this issue further with your office.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Speech-Language Pathologist
Bill Description: Senator John Fetterman has joined Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Jared Huffman in reintroducing the IDEA Full Funding Act, a bill aimed at fulfilling Congress’s long-standing commitment to fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the promised 40% level. Since IDEA’s passage 50 years ago, Congress has consistently underfunded the mandate, currently contributing less than 12% of the needed funds. In the 2024–2025 school year alone, this shortfall amounted to nearly $39 billion nationwide. The legislation, supported by a bipartisan group of over 90 lawmakers and endorsed by more than 60 national organizations, would mandate regular increases to finally meet the 40% funding target and ensure equitable education opportunities for students with disabilities.
Supporters of the bill—including educators, advocacy groups, and lawmakers—highlight the severe burden that underfunding places on schools, teachers, families, and state budgets. Organizations such as AASA, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Autism Society emphasize that full funding would improve access to specialized instructional support, assistive technologies, and inclusive learning environments. The legislation is seen as critical in an era when public education funding is under threat, with advocates calling for immediate congressional action to honor the decades-old promise to students with disabilities.
Link to the bill language or memo: bill language
PSHA’s Position: Support
Why Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) Support This Legislation:
Speech-language pathologists are key service providers under IDEA, working directly with students who have speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. These services are essential for enabling students to access and succeed in the classroom. Chronic underfunding of IDEA limits schools’ ability to hire and retain qualified SLPs, provide appropriate caseload sizes, and invest in evidence-based therapies and technology. Full funding would empower SLPs to deliver individualized services as mandated by students’ IEPs, reduce burnout, and ensure that children receive timely and comprehensive support. SLPs firmly support this legislation because it aligns with their mission to help all students—regardless of ability—communicate, learn, and thrive.
Link to letter we created: letter
Take Action: Contact Senator Fetterman and let him know how important it is to fully fund IDEA.
Find a sample script here:
Dear Senator Fetterman,
As a speech-language pathologist, I want to sincerely thank you for your leadership in reintroducing the IDEA Full Funding Act. Every day, I see the life-changing impact of special education services—and the strain caused by chronic underfunding. Your commitment to fully funding IDEA means more students will receive the support they need to communicate, learn, and thrive. Thank you for standing up for children with disabilities, their families, and the educators who serve them.
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
On December 21, Congress passed, and the President signed, a law that provides a short-term extension of authority for audiologists and SLPs to bill telehealth services under Medicare Part B through March 31, 2025.
Without further congressional action by the end of March, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer be covered for audiology and SLP telehealth services. It’s critical that Congress act to ensure patients maintain access to the same level of telehealth services they have had since 2020.
Take action now with your Members of Congress via the ASHA website!
