Dear Fellow ADA Member,

H.R. 3024, The Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 was introduced on June 24th—and if passed will amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare beneficiaries greater choice with regard to accessing hearing health services and benefits.

ADA and its Advocacy Committee urge you to contact your Congressman today to encourage him/her to support this critical piece of legislation. Your Congressman may be unfamiliar with this piece of legislation—please view key talking points that you can present in support of H.R. 3024 when you contact your legislator.

Please go to the following link to view a complete template letter that you can use. H.R. 3024, if passed, will eliminate the need for Medicare patients to obtain a physician referral prior to visiting an audiologist for an evaluation. Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR) has taken the lead, introducing this legislation, which has 13 original co-sponsors.

H.R. 3024 has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and to the Committee on Ways and Means. Please review the list of committee members for both committees . These committee members serve as critical influencers in advancing this legislation. If you live in these districts, redouble your efforts to ensure that Direct Access for Medicare patients becomes reality!

NOTE: Congress will be on recess from August 3rd through September 4th, and Representatives will be spending time in their home districts during this period. If possible, schedule an in-person meeting with your Congressman or his/her legislative aid during this time. Even better—schedule a meeting for you and several of your patients to meet with your Representative! An in person meeting can make a big difference in getting your message about Direct Access to Congress. Please view the following link to access H.R. 3024 in its entirety.

Contact your Representative today and ask him/her to co-sponsor this important legislation! Please copy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or the Chair of the Advocacy Committee, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it when you contact your US Representative.

Thank you for your continued involvement in changing this situation,

ADA Advocacy Committee: Dr. Suzanne O’Connor, Dr. Susan Parr, and Dr. Alicia D. Spoor on behalf of the ADA Board of Directors.

DISCLAIMER: The ADA is dedicated to leadership in advancing practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy, hearing technology, and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiological care.