ASHA Members Lobbied Congress on Medicare Funding
Over 150 association members met with federal lawmakers to address critical Medicare reimbursement challenges.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Legislative Policy
Live Poll
Should the federal government prioritize protecting patient access to specialized therapy services over Medicare spending cuts?
More than 150 members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) held over 175 meetings with Congress on Capitol Hill to advocate for healthcare policy reforms. The group also delivered more than 6,000 constituent letters to address the financial instability threatening patient access to essential services.
Why it matters
Persistent downward pressure on Medicare reimbursement rates has created financial barriers that make it difficult for many provider practices to remain open. These advocacy efforts aim to stabilize payment structures to ensure patients continue to receive necessary audiology and speech-language pathology care.
ASHA submitted formal comments regarding the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which includes a transition to 10 new treatment codes to replace the existing CPT code 92507.
The players
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
This professional association represents audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
This federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services manages Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The details
Professionals and students shared direct experiences from their patients and communities with members of key committees overseeing health, education, and labor. The association represents a total of 247,000 members and certificate holders currently navigating these systemic payment challenges.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: ASHA members conducted meetings with Congress on Capitol Hill.
September 2026: The association submitted formal comments to CMS regarding the 2027 fee schedule.
2027: Ten new treatment codes are slated to replace the existing CPT billing structure.
Political Context
The push for higher reimbursement rates faces substantial pushback from fiscal hawks and congressional budget committees focused on curbing rising federal healthcare expenditures. These opposing groups argue that any increases to the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule must be offset by spending cuts elsewhere to maintain budget neutrality.
Changes to reimbursement rates directly influence whether local provider practices can accept Medicare patients, potentially affecting wait times and availability of services. Patients relying on audiology or speech-language pathology may see shifts in their treatment coverage once the new billing codes take effect in 2027.
The takeaway
Healthcare providers remain critical stakeholders in the federal budget process as they seek to align payment models with the actual costs of clinical practice. Patients should monitor their provider networks in 2027 to understand how shifting billing codes might impact their insurance coverage.
Further reading
For more information on current healthcare legislation, visit our Legislative Policy section.
More information
Review the full ASHA advocacy information page for further updates.
Live Poll
Should the federal government prioritize protecting patient access to specialized therapy services over Medicare spending cuts?
