State-Level Advocacy
Real, lasting change for our profession often begins close to home. State-level legislation shapes the day-to-day realities of speech-language pathology and audiology practice, from licensure requirements to reimbursement policies to scope of practice. WSLHA is proud to be at the table in Olympia, championing the issues that matter most to you.
Advocacy is rarely a quick fix. It's a long game built on persistence, relationship-building, and steady follow-through — and every conversation, testimony, and piece of outreach lays the groundwork for progress that may take months or even years to fully realize. When SLPs and audiologists engage with WSLHA's advocacy efforts, we amplify our collective voice and turn shared priorities into real legislative progress over time. These state-level wins often become the models and momentum that influence change on a broader scale.
Your involvement, whether through staying informed, reaching out to legislators, or supporting WSLHA's advocacy initiatives, is what makes this work possible. Together, we can keep moving our profession forward — one policy at a time.
2026 Legislative Wins
- SB 5845 - Required health carriers to pay clean claims within 30 calendar days
- SB 6071 (adopted into SB 5845) - Prohibited carriers from requesting refunds from providers on claims payments unless they do in in writing within 12 months of the original payment (decreased from 24 months)
- HB 1589 - Obtained funding for a collaborative forum between health care providers and health insurers to discuss contract negotiations and credentialing practices
- Medicaid - Joined a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary coalition (150+ participants) and activated our local SLP providers to successfully fight the elimination of all adult Medicaid PT/OT/Speech benefits.
Federal Advocacy
Nationally, ASHA provides an excellent resource for current issues and ways to get involved. ASHA now provides a site to engage ASHA members in state and federal advocacy issues.
Meet Melissa Johnson, WSLHA's Lobbyist
For over 25 years, WSLHA has had the privilege of partnering with Melissa Johnson, our dedicated lobbyist in Olympia. Melissa's deep knowledge of the legislative landscape and her steadfast commitment to our profession have been instrumental in shaping WSLHA's advocacy efforts. From guiding our legislative strategy to actively working with legislators to see our priorities through, Melissa has been a trusted partner every step of the way. We are deeply grateful for her expertise, her tireless engagement, and her unwavering support of speech-language pathologists and audiologists across Washington State.
Melissa Johnson is a government affairs professional specializing in health care, early learning, human services, and business policy. With almost 30 years of experience in government relations, lobbying, advocacy, policy development, and strategic planning, Melissa understands the levers that influence change.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington and a law degree from American University in Washington, D.C. Her experience spans both policy development and legislative engagement, with a focus on advancing effective, equitable public policy solutions that strengthen communities and improve access to care.
Stay Up-To-Date with WSLHA's Capitol News
During legislative sessions, our lobbyist, Melissa Johnson, keeps members informed with regular weekly updates on the issues shaping our profession. You can expect these updates throughout session, and explore our full archive below to catch up on past coverage.
