Legislative Activity completed in 2025
SB 1207/1741: AHCCCS now covers outpatient speech-language pathology services and cochlear implants for adults!
During 2024-2025, ArSHA worked tirelessly with our lobbyist, Todd Baughman, to secure a sponsor for SB1207 which would remove the exclusion of outpatient speech-pathology services and cochlear implants for adults on AHCCCS. This exclusion was written into the AHCCCS law in 2010.
Senator Vince Leach (R) from District 17 was our sponsor. ArSHA also worked with Alexis Glascock (Lobbyist for the Arizona Otolaryngology Society lead by Dr. Shawn Stevens, a neuro-otologist in Phoenix).
Kathleen Evans Peterson was the 2023-2025 Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. Members of the Task Force were Sarah Glenn, Leah Mackie, Carolyn Abraham and Denise Stats-Caldwell. The leadership team included Victoria Clark (ArSHA President), Sarah Glenn (ArSHA President Elect) and Staci Dover (ArSHA Past President).
Near the last weeks of the 2025 legislative session, SB 1207 was dropped from the legislative agenda. However, Senator Leach and our Lobbyists were able to introduce an amendment to SB 1741 which included the language above. On Friday, June 27, 2025, SB 1741 was passed and the Governor has signed this bill into law.
A special thank you for the patients who testified in both the House and the Senate to tell their story on how this exclusion impacted their lives.
Link to SB1741: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/531412
SB 1075: Arizona joins the Interstate Compact
This bill will allow licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists to participate in the Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). The bill was funded by Sevita Medical and was sponsored by Senator TJ Shope (R-LD16).
All wording and documentation for the bill was provided by ASHA so that this bill would match all of the requirements for inclusion in the Compact.
ArSHA provided educational support as well as testimony in the House and the senate in support of this bill.
On May 16, 2025, the Governor of Arizona signed this bill into law.
**According to conversations with ASHA, the Compact should be operational in the fall of 2025.
Link to SB1075: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/530415
HB2125: A bill to require insurance companies offering healthcare policies to include hearing aid coverage for children.
This bill was introduced by Representative Julie Willoughby (R) LD13, Majority Whip.
She sponsored a similar bill in 2024 (HB2112). This bill would have required that all insurance companies that sell healthcare policies in Arizona include hearing aid coverage for children under the age of 18 or up to 21 years of age if the child is still enrolled in school. This included cochlear implants, bone conduction devices and any other device that is intended to amplify or create hearing.
ArSHA provided testimony in the House in support of this bill. Unfortunately, this bill did not advance to the Senate.
Link to HB2125: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/530645
January 2025
AHCCCS Bill
Senate Bill 1207: Sponsor is Senator Vince Leach (R-LD17)
AHCCCS bill: To remove the exclusion of SLP services and cochlear implants in the AHCCCS legislation for adults 21+
- This bill was brought forth by ArSHA and Dr. Shawn Stevens (a neuro-otologist in Phoenix)
- History: In 2010, the Arizona legislature passed HB 2010 that excluded coverage for outpatient speech-language pathology services, hearing aids, cochlear implants.
- 2023: ArSHA ran SB 1016 which would have removed the exclusion of outpatient SLP services for AHCCCS patients over the age of 21. This bill failed to pass.
- 2025: ArSHA has coordinated with Dr. Shawn Stevens to remove the exclusion of outpatient speech-language pathology services and cochlear implant services for the 21+ population.
LINK TO THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/sb1207p.htm
ASLP Interstate Compact
Senate Bill 1075: Sponsor is Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16)
ASLP-IC: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
- This bill was brought forth by Sevita Medical
- The ASLP-IC will certify that audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have met acceptable standards of practice, promote cooperation between compact states in the areas of licensure and regulation, and offer a higher degree of consumer protection across state lines. You do not need to hold the CCC to participate in this Compact. Your state license will suffice.
- Licensed audiologists and SLPs will be able to practice in person or through telepractice across state lines via a privilege to practice.
- The ASLP-IC will increase access to client, patient, and student care and will facilitate continuity of care when clients, patients, and students relocate/travel.
- Audiologists and SLPs will be able to provide services to populations currently underserved or geographically isolated as well as allow military personnel and spouses to maintain their profession when relocation
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF THE BILL: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/sb1075p.htm
Children’s Hearing Aid Bill
House Bill 2125: Sponsor is Representative Julie Willoughby (R-LD 13)
Insurance coverage for hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids for children
- This bill was brought forth by Representative Julie Willoughby (R-LD13, Majority Whip). She also sponsored a similar bill in 2024 (HB 2112) which did not pass.
- Summary: Companies that issue insurance coverage in the state of Arizona “will provide full coverage for any hearing aid and related services for an enrollee who is under the age of 18 or who is under 21 years of age if that enrollee is still attending high school”.
- Hearing aid is defined as “durable medical equipment that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children”.
- Includes: “cochlear implants, bone conduction hearing devices and any other device that is intended to amplify or create hearing”.
- Hearing aid is defined as “durable medical equipment that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children”.
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF THE BILL: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/hb2125p.htm