Revisions to Chapter 459
Assembly Bill 610
Senate Bill 389

The proposed changes to Chapter 459 include: 1) updating the minimum education requirements for new applicants for a license to practice audiology in Wisconsin to an Au.D; 2) improving the definition of audiology to be more in accordance with definitions used for other non-medical fields 3) prohibiting the use of the term "audioprosthologist” as a title; and 4) improving the definition of deceptive advertising in a number of ways including requiring the disclosure of the license title on the receipt-of-sale of a hearing aid to the consumer.

SUPPORT. 
This legislation was introduced at the request of WSHA-P.

The Assembly Committee on Health and Health Care Reform, chaired by Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) held a public hearing on AB 610, but did not act on the legislation.  The Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) did not schedule SB 389 for a public hearing.  The Wisconsin Medical Society has some concerns with sections of AB 610/SB 389.  WSHA-P intends to work with the Society on some compromise language, while preserving our own goals, during the 2008 legislative interim.  The International Hearing Society opposes prohibiting the use of the term “audioprosthologist” as a title, among other things, and is lobbying the legislature requesting that members oppose the legislation.  The 2007-08 legislation session ended on March 13, 2008, these bills will be reintroduced in January 2009.

Senate Bill 178
Assembly Bill 417

SB 178 and AB 417 require insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders if the services are provided by a 1) psychologist 2) psychiatrist 3) social worker licensed to practice psycho-therapy or 4) a paraprofessional practicing under one of the above professionals.  As drafted, the legislation endorsed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and did not include independent services provided by speech-language pathologists, or other providers.  As drafted these bills only require insurance coverage for services provided by speech-language pathologists if SLPs are supervised by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker licensed to practice psycho-therapy.

SUPPORT.
WSHA-P supports mandated insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders.  Proposed legislation must include coverage for a comprehensive set of therapies available to individuals on the autism spectrum, including services provided by speech-language pathologists, as independent providers.

The Senate passed an amended version of SB 178, which would require insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders if provided by all of the above providers as well as services provided by speech language pathologists, as independent providers.  The amendment was passed unanimously and the final version of the bill passed 25 to 8.  Passage of the amended bill was a huge success for WSHA-P, having faced an uphill battle to get the bill amended for over one year.  Member advocacy was a huge contributing factor to this success.  The Assembly did not take up SB 178; rather Assembly republicans introduced, and passed, AB 901, which increased funding for the autism waiver program by $6 million.  AB 901 is a separate issue and WSHA-P did not take a position.  The two houses did not reach a compromise on this issue prior to the end of the legislative session.  Insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders will continue to be a priority for WSHA-P during the legislative interim and the 2009-10 legislative session.

Senate Bill 88
Assembly Bill 133

SB 88 and AB 133 require insurance coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants for children. SB 88 has been amended multiple times, details are provided below.

WSHA-P supports Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 88, which was passed on December 11, 2007. The Assembly Committee on Insurance chaired by Representative Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay) heard public testimony on SB 88 and further amended the bill. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 88 created some limitations for coverage including limiting coverage to one hearing aid per ear every three years and allowing an one year preexisting condition limit for cochlear implants.   WSHA-P continued to support the bill with the compromise language; however, the full Assembly did not act on the legislation prior to the end of the legislative session.  Assembly republicans did introduce AB 912, which would include coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants under BadgerCare Plus, however the bill was not scheduled for a vote in the Assembly.  WSHA-P did not take a position on AB 912.  The two houses did not reach a compromise prior to the end of legislative session.  WSHA-P will continue to work on this issue during the legislative interim and 2009-10 legislative session.

2008 Special Session Budget Repair Bill

State Finances and Appropriations for the 2007-09 biennium. 

NO POSITION.
WSHA-P does not take a formal position on omnibus bills that include a number of items unrelated to WSHA-P’s legislative goals.  However, WSHA-P does support sections of the bill and will monitor the progress of the bill as it moves through the legislative process

Wisconsin is facing a projected $500 million plus budget deficit for the current biennium.  The Governor introduced 2008 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 on March 12, 2008 to address the projected deficit.  AB 1 includes a hospital assessment to help draw down federal funds to be used for an increase in Medicaid reimbursements. The Assembly and Senate amended the Governor’s bill.  The Senate’s amendment included the hospital assessment; the Assembly’s amendment did not.  Both houses are in the process of negotiating a final proposal.

A salary supplement is an “add-on” to the annual salary of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists who are employed by a school district.  Eligibility requirements include certification by the American Speech/Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Over 25 states provide some form of a salary (statewide or locally) in order to recruit and retain qualified SLPs and audiologists with ASHA certification.  Establishing some form of an annual salary supplement will help school districts recruit and retain SLPs and Audiologists with ASHA certification.