Legislative Affairs
National Advocacy Corner
Many audiologists and SLPs want to influence policy related to our professions but feel they don't have the time or know-how to make their voices heard. ASHA provides an avenue for professionals to get involved in advocacy on the national level.
With executive orders, new bills, and nominations happening, it’s a busy time in public policy. There are a number of pressing priorities that you can fight for today.
A Take Action Campaign is launched when there is an active bill or regulation (state or federal) that we want to support or oppose. ASHA members are called on to “Take Action” by sending a prewritten message (you can personalize) to our elected officials. It’s a quick and easy way to engage in advocacy. The more elected officials hear from their constituents, the more likely change will happen.
US Congress Representatives for NH:
Congressman Chris Pappas Contact | Congressman Chris Pappas
Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander Contact | Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander
Senator Maggie Hassan Contact | U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan
Senator Jeanne Shaheen Contact | U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Click Here for Current Take Action Campaigns
If you are an ASHA member, check out the state legislative tracker HERE
HB 1051 Fingerprinting
January 2026
NHSHLA has been actively working with our lobbyists and key stakeholders to advance HB 1051, a bill that would establish a commission to study the creation of a statewide fingerprinting and background check database in New Hampshire.
This legislation is an important step forward for school-based service providers and the students we serve.
We recently met with Stephen Appleby from the New Hampshire Department of Education, as well as NHOTA and the PT Association, who has expressed support for HB 1051. Notably, New Hampshire already has a proven statewide fingerprinting and background-check system for school bus drivers. We are hopeful that the state will adopt this existing model for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Speech-Language Assistants (SLAs).
Currently, many providers are required to undergo multiple fingerprinting and criminal history record checks (CHRCs) simply because they serve students in more than one SAU. A centralized, statewide system would:
- Reduce unnecessary duplication, time, and cost for providers
- Improve efficiency for districts and agencies
- Enhance student safety through a consistent, centralized CHRC process
As a trusted professional voice, your outreach to legislators matters. In January, we encourage you to contact your Representative and Senator and ask them to support HB 1051.
Take Action Today - Email Your Legislator in Support of HB 1051
Current Legislative Updates: Telehealth
October 1st, 2025; Loss of authorization for Telehealth services:
Unfortunately, Congress failed to pass legislation funding the federal government by the midnight deadline, triggering a government shutdown and pause in the ability of audiologists and SLPs to provide Medicare covered services through telehealth. Although it is possible that subsequent congressional action to fund the government and end the shutdown will restore this authority, neither audiologists nor SLPs should bill Medicare for telehealth services in the interim.
Josh Krantz
Director of Federal Affairs, Health Care
516-807-2612
September 25, 2025; Telehealth services at risk
Medicare coverage for audiology and speech-language pathology telehealth services will expire on September 30, 2025, unless Congress acts. Without an extension, beneficiaries will lose access to critical care starting October 1.
Congress must pass H.R. 1614 to make this coverage permanent. Telehealth ensures patients in rural, underserved, and mobility-limited communities in NH can access essential hearing, speech, language, swallowing, and cognition services.
Take 2 minutes today: Click HERE to email NH elected officials and urge them to protect permanent access to telehealth for our patients.
Thank you for lending your voice to this critical effort.
Sincerely,
Wendy Lybrand
President, NHSLHA
January 2025; American Relief Act - Extension of Telehealth and Medicare payment increase
On December 20, 2024, Congress passed the American Relief Act (H.R. 10545), a short-term federal government spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, which President Biden has signed into law.
An initial package included a more robust solution to address ASHA's advocacy priorities, including a two-year extension of telehealth and a 2.5% Medicare payment increase.
The final bill passed into law includes two provisions impacting SLPs and audiologists:
- The bill offers a short-term three-month extension of the authority for audiologists and SLPs to continue providing telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries through March 31, 2025.
- The bill waives the 4% across-the-board PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) cut scheduled to take effect January 1, 2025.
- Statutory PAYGO rules state that any increases to the federal deficit then automatically trigger across-the-board reductions to federal programs such as Medicare.
The bill does not address the 2.8% Medicare Part B payment cut, which will move forward. In total, audiologists and SLPs can expect up to a 4.8% cut in Medicare Part B payments next year.
What’s Next?
Congress is expected to take additional action to fund the federal government and may address other federal priorities by March 14, 2025.
The Government Affairs and Public Policy Board developed the 2025 Public Policy Agenda for audiologists and SLPs based on input from ASHA members, It includes priorities to secure and expand permanent coverage of telehealth services and to protect and improve payment.
ASHA—along with other groups representing clinicians supporting telehealth and opposing Medicare cuts—are pushing for permanent Medicare telehealth authority and higher Medicare payments to be included in that funding legislation.
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC)
The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) is a licensure compact, or agreement among states, which allows licensed SLPs and audiologists to practice in multiple states without having to obtain additional state licenses. The compact addresses increased demand to provide/receive audiology and speech-language pathology services, and authorizes in-person and telepractice across state lines.
New Hampshire has joined 36 other states/territories jurisdictions passing state legislation to be part of the compact.
Under the ASLP-IC, audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are licensed in New Hampshire will be eligible to practice in other participating states via a “compact privilege,” which is equivalent to a license.
Current Status as of 11/17/25:
The CompactConnect data system launched on 10/28/25, making it possible for states to begin the process of issuing compact privileges. States must onboard into the data system prior to offering compact privileges.
o First states: Louisiana and West Virginia were the first states to begin issuing privileges.
Other states, including New Hampshire, are actively working to onboard with the CompactConnect system. NH will not onboard until sometime in 2026
NH-licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists cannot apply for a compact privilege in other states until NH has successfully onboarded with CompactConnect.
Once NH is onboarded, practitioners will be able to use their NH professional license to apply for a “compact privilege” to practice in another participating state. The ASLP-IC Commission will charge a $50 fee per compact privilege to the applicant. State fees may be additional and are to be determined.
For more in-depth information on the ASLP-IC, visit their website.
(Information taken from ASHA and ASLP-IC websites, 2025)
