Presenters: 
Lee Cottrell, AuD, Chair, Federal and State Relations Committee, American Academy of Audiology
Susan Pilch, JD, Senior Director of Government Relations, American Academy of Audiology

CEUs: 0.1 AAA/Tier 1 CEUs

Duration: 60 minutes

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge 

Description:

2024 promises to be an active year in federal and state advocacy. This webinar will provide the latest information on the “state of play” in Congress, the status (and prospects of) the Medicare audiology bill, as well as expected “hot topics” in state legislatures in the New Year.  This CE-eligible webinar will feature the chair of the Federal and State Relations Committee as well as Academy staff as presenters who will outline the challenges and opportunities for audiology that lie ahead in 2024.

Learning Outcomes:  

1. Describe current political power dynamic in Congress (Republican/Democrat).
2. Summarize the status of the joint audiology bill (AAA, ASHA, and ADA).
3. List the top issues in audiology expected to be discussed in state legislatures.

Lee Cottrell, AuD

Lee Cottrell, AuD. is director of audiology at Farragut ENT & Allergy and the Balance and Hearing Institute in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Cottrell completed his AuD. from the University of Tennessee in 2011. He has been a member of the American Academy of Audiology since 2016, and he is the current chair-elect of the Government Relations Committee for AAA. Dr. Cottrell's professional interests include adult diagnostics and amplification, management, business development, and physician relations and education. Dr. Cottrell is a current adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University's DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and a clinical preceptor the University of Tennessee's AuD program.

Susan Pilch, JD

Susan currently serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology and oversees federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts.  Over the course of her career, Susan has represented numerous participants in the healthcare system—both at the state and federal level including speech-language pathologists/audiologists, pharmaceutical wholesalers, community pharmacies and hospitals.  As a result of this experience, she has significant experience on a wide range of issues including state licensure, reimbursement, contractual and policy-related insurance coverage issues, Medicare and Medicaid and patient access to services and care.  In addition, Susan has worked extensively with public and commercial payers as well as with patient advocacy groups and industry partners.