Washington — The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has announced the introduction of HR 3024, the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 in the 111th Congress. This bill is identical to HR 1665 from last congress and Congressman Mike Ross (D-Ark) has taken the lead again this session, along with 13 original cosponsors. In the 110th Congress, HR 1665 garnered 108 cosponsors.

HR 3024 eliminates the need for Medicare patients to obtain a physician referral prior to visiting an audiologist for an evaluation. Currently our nation's veterans, through the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA), can receive an audiological exam without first obtaining a physician referral. Federal employees and members of Congress also have direct access to an audiologist. This bill would afford Medicare patients the same direct access to an audiologist.

AAA has reportedly been in dialogue with leadership from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) regarding possible modifications to the direct access bill. While Congressman Ross has reintroduced the bill retaining the language from the previous Congress, Academy leadership is encouraged by the collaborative efforts of both groups.

"We look forward to continued discussion with AAO-HNS on direct access and other relevant issues," said M. Patrick Feeney, PhD, AAA president.

The academy urges individuals to contact their representatives and ask for support for HR 3024 by accessing the Academy's Legislative Action Center at the following link: http://capwiz.com/audiology/issues/alert/?alertid=13002406

The following organizations endorsed HR1665 and AAA is hopeful for their support again this session:

• Academy of Audiology of Puerto Rico
• Academy of Doctors of Audiology
• Academy of Federal Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
• American Association of People with Disabilities
• American Board of Audiology
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• American Tinnitus Association
• Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses
• Association of VA Audiologists
• California Academy of Audiology
• Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Educational Audiology Association
• Florida Academy of Audiology
• Hearing Loss Association of America
• Military Audiology Association
• Minnesota Academy of Audiology
• National Association of the Deaf
• National Black Association for Speech, Language and Hearing
• National Court Reporters Association
• National Cued Speech Association
• National Hearing Conservation Association
• National Rural Health Association
• Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
• Texas Academy of Audiology

SOURCE: AAA