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As a PSHA member, you can “take action”. Below is a link to the current federal advocacy efforts. If you can’t find your area of concern, there is a template for writing a letter to a legislator. State Advocacy
Take Action for Early InterventionThe current budget impasse in Harrisburg is impacting Early Intervention funding. 1) Please call your legislator today to encourage them to ensure these crucial services for young children will not be disrupted. Scripts for caregivers and clients are available here. 2) Please take our provider survey so we can share your concerns with legislators. Use this link to find your legislators. Download the letter we sent to legislators and share your personal experiences with early intervention Take Action to Support HB 1700: Communication Impairment Designation on Driver’s Licenses*note this is the house version of SB 802 Bill Description: When a driver with a communication impairment is stopped by law enforcement, a routine traffic stop can be a difficult interaction for that individual if they are not able to effectively communicate with the officer. This legislation would make that interaction easier by allowing individuals the opportunity to include a communication impairment on their driver’s license and opt to also include that designation on electronic records filed with PennDOT. This bill would give the option for a designation to a number of individuals who may have communication impairments including individuals with autism, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and individuals with a speech impairment. Link to the bill language or memo: https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46941&document=HB1700 PSHA’s Position: Support Link to PSHA’s letter: HB 1700 License Designation.docx Take Action: Call your State Representative and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of this bill (or thank them if they are already co-sponsors!).
Take Action to Support SB 802: Communication Impairment Designation on Driver’s LicensesThis bipartisan legislation, developed collaboratively, would allow individuals to voluntarily include a communication impairment designation on their driver’s license, state-issued ID, and in the Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) electronic records. This renewed effort builds on work that began five years ago, in response to concerns from constituents and advocacy groups. In both of our districts, this issue has had unnecessary consequences. In one case, a constituent who was hard of hearing was stopped by law enforcement, creating unnecessary confusion for both parties involved. In another, what should have been a routine encounter, tragically ended in the loss of life. Interactions with law enforcement can be stressful under any circumstances. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, autistic, or have other communication impairments, these encounters can quickly become overwhelming and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania remains behind the curve. At least 32 other states, including, most recently, Maryland, have implemented voluntary designations for communication impairments on IDs or licenses, often specifically recognizing deafness, hearing loss, or autism. It is time for our Commonwealth to join this growing, bipartisan movement with a simple, voluntary, and potentially lifesaving measure. Read PSHA’s letter of support: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15QJFpBZGIa5yuQTeirpTcaPqEZfvliOe/edit Take Action: Call your State Senator and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of this bill (or thank them if they are already co-sponsors!). Take Action on Low Provider Reimbursement for MedicaidBill Description: On May 13, 2025, PSHA, alongside Tri Alliance members from ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association), APTA-PA (American Physical Therapy Association of Pennsylvania, AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association), and POTA (Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association) sent a letter to Pennsylvania lawmakers urging them to help us increase the Medicaid fee schedule for therapists. Please contact your legislator to encourage them to support our efforts. PSHA’s Position: Support Link to letter we created: Letter Take Action: Copy this text and send to your legislator: Access to therapy is worsening for over 3 million Pennsylvanians on Medicaid/CHIP. Studies show that early therapy reduces long-term costs and improves quality of life, especially for individuals with disabilities, autism, or post-stroke needs. SLPs and other therapy providers want to serve Medicaid patients—but we need fair rates and less red tape. Please support funding increases and policy changes to improve access to vital therapy services. Authorizing Pennsylvania to Join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate CompactBill Description: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists provide vital services to people of all ages with hearing, speech, and language-related disorders. However, increased demand for these essential services has led to a shortage of audiology and speech-language pathology providers in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania residents who require diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring for hearing or speech disorders should be able to access the care they need. That is why we plan to introduce legislation that would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Joining this compact will give patients greater access to audiologists and speech-language pathologists by providing a pathway for these practitioners to obtain authorization to practice in states where they do not hold a license. To date, 34 states have joined the ASLP-IC, including neighboring states such as Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia. Should Pennsylvania join the compact, audiologists and speech-language pathologists in those states would easily acquire the ability to practice in the Commonwealth and vice versa. Link to the bill language or memo: bill language PSHA’s Position: Support Link to letter we created: letter Take Action: Help build support for the Interstate Compact! Please call your PA House Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HB 80: “Authorizing Pennsylvania to Join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.” This bill would simplify interstate practice of speech language pathology and audiology while still providing for robust consumer protections. Find your state rep here and a sample script here. You may also want to share this informational graphic and this issue brief from ASHA. Federal Advocacy
Call to Action Needed to Gain Support for the IDEA Full Funding ActSpeech-language pathologists (SLPs) are urging Senator McCormick to cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act because underfunding directly affects their ability to provide essential services to students with disabilities. Without adequate federal support, schools struggle to hire and retain qualified SLPs, leading to larger caseloads and limited access to individualized care. Fully funding IDEA would help ensure students receive the communication support they need to thrive academically and socially. Bill Description: The IDEA Full Funding Act seeks to fulfill Congress’s promise to fund 40% of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For 50 years, Congress has fallen short, now covering less than 12%, with a $39 billion gap in the 2024–2025 school year alone. Backed by over 90 bipartisan lawmakers and 60+ national groups, the bill would mandate funding increases to reach the 40% goal and support equitable education for students with disabilities. Link to the bill language or memo: bill language PSHA’s Position: Support Link to letter we created: letter Sample Script: Subject Line: Please cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act Dear Senator McCormick, I am writing as a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and advocate for students with disabilities to respectfully urge you to cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act. This vital legislation aims to fulfill the federal government’s long-standing promise to fund 40% of the excess cost of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—a commitment that, for nearly five decades, has never been met. As an SLP, I work directly with students who depend on IDEA services for access to a free and appropriate public education. However, due to chronic underfunding—currently less than 12% of the promised amount—schools are often forced to make difficult choices. This shortfall leads to high caseloads, fewer resources, and limited time to provide the individualized care that students with disabilities need to thrive. In the 2024–2025 school year alone, this funding gap is projected to exceed $39 billion nationwide. Fully funding IDEA would directly benefit students who require speech-language services by allowing schools to invest in more staff, updated materials, and appropriate supports. It would also help reduce burnout among professionals like myself who are committed to providing high-quality care but often stretched too thin. More than 90 bipartisan lawmakers and over 60 national organizations support this legislation. I hope you will join them by cosponsoring the IDEA Full Funding Act and taking a meaningful step toward educational equity for all students. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this issue further with your office. Sincerely, [Your Name] The IDEA Full Funding ActBill Description: Senator John Fetterman has joined Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Jared Huffman in reintroducing the IDEA Full Funding Act, a bill aimed at fulfilling Congress’s long-standing commitment to fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the promised 40% level. Since IDEA’s passage 50 years ago, Congress has consistently underfunded the mandate, currently contributing less than 12% of the needed funds. In the 2024–2025 school year alone, this shortfall amounted to nearly $39 billion nationwide. The legislation, supported by a bipartisan group of over 90 lawmakers and endorsed by more than 60 national organizations, would mandate regular increases to finally meet the 40% funding target and ensure equitable education opportunities for students with disabilities. Supporters of the bill—including educators, advocacy groups, and lawmakers—highlight the severe burden that underfunding places on schools, teachers, families, and state budgets. Organizations such as AASA, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Autism Society emphasize that full funding would improve access to specialized instructional support, assistive technologies, and inclusive learning environments. The legislation is seen as critical in an era when public education funding is under threat, with advocates calling for immediate congressional action to honor the decades-old promise to students with disabilities. Link to the bill language or memo: bill language PSHA’s Position: Support |
