Academy of Doctors of Audiology

Make the Most of National Audiology Awareness Month

Tomorrow begins National Audiology Awareness Month on October 1st, a perfect segue from the September introduction of the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act (MAASA) (S. 2446) in the U.S. Senate! S. 2446, strongly endorsed by members of ADA, AAA, ASHA, and HLAA, is championed by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). The bill is identical to companion legislation (H.R. 4056), introduced by Representative Tom Rice (R-SC) and Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA) on July 25th in the U.S. House of Representatives. View a list of cosponsors here.

As promised, ADA has allocated all available staff and volunteer resources towards advancing MAASA in the 116th Congress. We are encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for the bill in both chambers already, and the unified efforts of the entire audiology community to advance this singular legislative initiative. However, continued momentum for the bill is dependent on building co-sponsors rapidly, so that MAASA can be prioritized highly for consideration by the Congressional committees of jurisdiction. We need your help.

ADA members are defined by their unrelenting activism, which has transformed the profession of audiology time and again. We are a small but mighty force. And here we stand, together again, at another critical juncture. Please take the following actions as soon as possible to help promote Congressional action on MAASA (and thank you to everyone who already have completed these 5 tasks).

  1. Register to attend ADA Lobby Day on November 14th. Members of Congress are far more likely to take action when they hear directly from constituents—even more so when those constituents sacrifice time and resources to visit their offices in person. Please consider attending ADA Lobby Day. (ADA non-members are also welcome and encouraged to attend). View the ADA Lobby Day Basics webinar.
  2. Contact your members of Congress (again and again).
    1. Use Congressional Connect to send them a letter.
    2. Call the offices of your Congressional Representative and Senators. These links will also allow you to link to their websites, where you can connect and engage with legislators through their social media accounts.
    3. Set up in-district meetings and attend constituent events to speak with your legislators when Congress is in recess. Who is your Representative? Who are your Senators?
  3. Tell your colleagues, patients, family, and friends to contact their legislators too.Download the patient flyer for more information.
  4. Donate to the ADA Advocacy Fund. Every dollar that you invest in ADA’s advocacy efforts is applied exclusively to support the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act.
  5. Invite your legislators to tour your practice, so that they can see first-hand the important role that audiologists play in providing essential hearing and balance services for Medicare beneficiaries. View the “reverse fly-in” resources to help you host a Congressional visit to your practice.

If every ADA member engages in advocacy efforts, we can break through the clutter and chaos in Congress and get H.R. 4056/S. 2446 passed! Please visit www.chooseaudiology.org to download materials and talking points. Thank you for investing your time and resources to advance the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act!

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