ASHA (State-Based) Advocacy Networks

Did you know that ASHA has national networks to advocate issues on behalf of clinicians around the country? Since 1999, ASHA has created four networks; State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs), Medicare Intermediary and Carrier (MICs), State Licensing, and State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs). Each network targets a specific population or issue and state appointed representatives work closely with ASHA to solve problems, develop policies, and diseminate information to support the professional efforts of communicative disorders professionals across the country.

Here is a summary of each of the networks and the current PSHA–appointed representative. Please feel free to contact them with your questions, concerns, or comments. And, while you are at it, think about volunteering to be a representative yourself. You will note that one person has graciously volunteered to cover two areas until another representative steps forward. We are always looking for new faces and new ideas! Contact the PSHA office if you are interested in becoming a state assocation representative.

• State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs)
• Medicare Intermediary and Carrier (MICs)
• State Licensing, and State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs)
• State Licensing

Following is a summary of each of the networks and your current PSHA–appointed representative. Please feel free to contact them with your questions, concerns, or comments.

State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs)

The mission of the SEALs network is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, clinical, management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state level to influence administrative and public policy decisions that impact the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology in school settings.

Current PSHA SEAL: Ellen Estomin eestomin1@pghboe.net

Medicate Intermediary and Carrier (MICs)

The mission of the MICs network is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership and communication of ASHA members at the state level to influence administrative and public policy decisions that impact the Medicare coverage and reimbursement of speech-language pathology services and audiology services.

Current PSHA SMAC: Joanne Wisely joanne.wisely@genesishcc.com

State Licensing, State Advocates for Reimbursement (STAR)

The mission of the STARs network is to advocate at the local level for consistent coverage and equitable health care reimbursement by private players for speech-language pathology and audiology services with legislators, state insurance commissioners, health plans, unions, and employers.

State Licensing
The mission of the State Licensing network is to keep informed about the actions and deliberations of the state licensing boards of speech-language pathology and audiology in order to promote a heightened awareness of licensing issues within their states, to report activities to ASHA, and to ensure that the interests of both the professional as well as the consumer are protected in state law and regulations.