ASHA Advocates Climb Capitol Hill to Fight for Policies That Support Patient Access to Care

More than 150 ASHA members and staff joined forces for ASHA's 2026 Capitol Hill Day to urge federal lawmakers to improve the public's access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.

Participants spent a day preparing with advocacy experts before climbing Capitol Hill on September 23 to meet with members of key committees that oversee health and education policy. Advocates specifically focused on better Medicare reimbursement and preservation of funding and programs that ensure access to hearing, balance, speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive care. Advocates also delivered letters from their colleagues and co-constituents to legislators' offices, giving members who were not able to attend a seat at the table with them.

By the Numbers

Capitol Hill Day 2026 marked one of ASHA's biggest congressional fly-ins to date:

• Total Capitol Hill Day advocates: 159
• States represented: 41
• Total congressional meetings: 170
• House meetings: 88
• Senate meetings: 82
• Meetings by party: 88 Democrat, 81 Republican, 1 Independent
• Letters from ASHA members delivered to offices: 6,034.

What Did ASHA Advocates Highlight?

ASHA advocates educated Congress on what audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) do and why access to their services is crucial, specifically featuring important and impactful issues Congress might meaningfully act on before adjourning at the end of the year.

These issues included:

Improving Medicare coverage and reimbursement

Protecting Medicaid

Preserving key health, education and workforce funding and programs

Keep the Momentum Going!

Capitol Hill Day is a powerful event that leverages the passion and expertise of hundreds of ASHA advocates at one time to serve as the catalyst for positive policy change for audiologists and SLPs. However, sustained advocacy is what helps make meaningful progress on policy priorities that are important to members of the professions. That's why ASHA partners with members year-round to keep the pressure on policymakers whose decisions will shape the future of the professions.

ASHA encourages you to join us by visiting ASHA's Take Action page and reinforcing support for the legislation Hill Day participants championed on Capitol Hill. You can also visit ASHA's Member Advocacy Guide for tips on setting up your own meetings.

ASHA's 2027 Capitol Hill Day is expected to occur in May 2027.

Questions?

If you'd like ideas on how you can join forces with ASHA to advocate for the professions or if you want to participate in Capitol Hill Day 2027, contact [email protected].