Direct Access to Audiologists Legislation Introduced, Co-Sponsors Sought

ASHA applauds the introduction of H.R. 2821, the "Hearing Health Accessibility Act of 2003" as introduced by Representatives Jim Ryun (R-KS) and Lois Capps (D-CA), and asks you to please contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to co-sponsor this important legislation. H.R. 2821 would allow Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. Currently, Medicare requires that beneficiaries with hearing loss or balance disorders obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist. ASHA will continue to work with other audiology organizations on this legislation and report to members when a Senate companion bill is introduced. A copy of H.R. 2821 can be found on the ASHA Web site at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/HIPAA-Administrative-Simplification/HIPAAGenInfo/Downloads/HIPAALaw.pdf.

Go to ASHA's Take Action site at https://takeaction.asha.org. From there you can send emails or letters to your Representative asking for their support of H.R. 2821. Or call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative's Capitol Hill office. For more information, please contact Linda S. Lucas, ASHA's Director of Grassroots Advocacy, at 800-498-2071, ext. 4427 or via e-mail at llucas@asha.org.