[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1195 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1195

    Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Speech-
                        Language-Hearing Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 6, 2024

 Mrs. Cammack (for herself and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Speech-
                        Language-Hearing Month.

Whereas the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for decades championed 
        Better Hearing and Speech Month, now known as National Speech-Language-
        Hearing Month;
Whereas communication disorders are among the most common conditions in children 
        and adults, affecting tens of millions of people in the United States;
Whereas unaddressed difficulties with speech, language, hearing, and swallowing 
        can negatively impact academic, employment, and social success, as well 
        as quality of life;
Whereas audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance 
        disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing 
        aids, and speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat 
        speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders;
Whereas hearing loss can be present at birth, happen instantly, or, most 
        commonly, develop over time from excessive noise exposure, aging, or a 
        combination of factors;
Whereas the number of adults in the United States 20 years or older with hearing 
        loss is expected to increase from 44,100,000 in 2020 to 73,500,000 
        million by 2060;
Whereas at least 46,000,000 people in the United States have a hearing or other 
        communication disorder that affects how they engage with their 
        environment;
Whereas 3,000,000 Americans who stutter may face mockery, bullying, and social 
        stigma, with inadequate access to resources and treatment that can help 
        them speak more confidently;
Whereas uneven coverage of and access to speech, language, and hearing health 
        care contributes to significant disparities in health outcomes;
Whereas timely access to diagnosis and treatment for communication disorders by 
        audiologists and speech-language pathologists and other qualified health 
        care professionals can reverse or prevent many communication disorders, 
        improve outcomes and reduce overall cost of care; and
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National 
        Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness 
        about hearing and speech problems, and to encourage people with those 
        problems to seek appropriate care: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports--
            (1) the goals and ideals of National Speech-Language-
        Hearing Month; and
            (2) efforts to improve access to hearing, balance, speech, 
        language, swallowing, and cognitive care.
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