[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E420-E421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ``AUDIOLOGIST'' FOR MEDICAID

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill with my 
good friend from Ohio, Mr. Sherrod Brown, that would establish a 
Medicaid definition of ``audiologist'' used for Medicare reimbursement. 
Congress updated the definition of ``audiologist'' for Medicare 
reimbursement in 1994, but the same update has not yet occurred for 
Medicaid. The definition used by Medicare, and which I am proposing to 
be used for Medicaid purposes, relies primarily on state licensure or 
registration as the mechanism for identifying audiologists who are 
qualified to participate in the program.
  Currently, under Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) 
regulations, the Medicaid program uses a definition of ``audiologist'' 
that is nearly thirty years old and relies upon certification from 
third party organizations. HCFA's Medicaid definition has not kept pace 
with the significant changes that have occurred in audiology 
credentialing over the last three decades. The current definition also 
does not reflect the critical role that state licensure/registration 
now plays in assuring the quality of audiology services. State 
licensure/registration statutes currently exist in 49 of the 50 states.
  Today, there are approximately 28 million Americans with some degree 
of hearing loss. While this number will grow along with the aging of 
the Baby Boomers, hearing loss is not exclusively an ``older'' person's 
problem. A recent article in the Washington Post entitled ``Hearing 
Loss Touches A Younger Generation'' points out that more and more 
Americans are suffering from various degrees of hearing loss at a 
younger age. The article refers to a Journal of the American Medical 
Association study which found that nearly 15% of children ages 6 to 19 
who were tested showed some hearing deficit in either low or high 
frequencies. Audiologists are specifically trained and licensed to 
provide a broad range of diagnostic and rehabilitative services to 
persons

[[Page E421]]

with hearing loss and related disorders (e.g. vestibular/balance 
disorders).
  The legislation would not expand or change the scope of practice for 
an audiologist, or alter the important relationship that exists between 
audiologists and Ear, Nose and Throat physicians. There would be no new 
benefits or services under this legislation. The bill I am introducing 
today, while technical in nature, would help establish uniform 
professional qualifications for audiologists, and a more reliable 
standard for the more than 28 million people with a hearing loss who 
may use audiological services.

                          ____________________