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Link to the ISHA Annual Convention

Community Events - Public Information and Marketing Committee Activity

Representatives from the Public Information and Marketing Committee will be judging the Chicago Public School Science Fair on Friday, March 19th at the Museum of Science and Industry. Each year, this committee awards two $100 checks to students who have completed a project related to communication disorders. Each project is judged on the scientific process, the relatedness to communication, and how thorough the students were. Winners will be presented their checks at the awards ceremony on Sunday, March 21st. Names of the winners and a brief summary of their projects will be presented in the ISHA newsletter.

EI PAYMENTS UPDATE - ISHA Applauds Override of Amendatory Veto on HB237

On October 28, 2009, ISHA lobbied Illinois Senators for an override of the amendatory veto of HB237. On October 14, 2009, the House voted to override the Governor on a vote of 107-7. HB237 was called for a vote in the Senate on October 30, 2009, and the Senate also overrode the Governor’s amendatory veto.

Understandably, this is a concern for all EI providers. ISHA is very aware of this issue and is actively involved with advocating for its EI Speech-Language Pathologists.

Below is a link to the Bill on the Illinois General Assembly Web Site:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=237&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=40350&SessionID=76

As to what this means for prompt payment is still unsure at this time. Currently the State is at least 10 weeks behind on payments to providers. The law becomes effective on January 1, 2010.

Currently, DHS has begun the process of determining the steps to become compliant with the law. The Bureau staff continues to monitor the payment situation on a daily basis. Every effort is made to utilize all available funding (i.e. state general revenue, Part C, Medicaid Reimbursement, families’ fees, ARRA). All federal stimulus (ARRA) money received by Early Intervention is being used to pay for direct services. Before the state can use federal Part C and ARRA funds, it must spend state revenue funds first. The Bureau is waiting, as are other programs and services, for state revenue funds to be deposited into the EI Revolving Fund.

ISHA will make every effort to continue to advocate for its Speech/Language Pathologists in regards to EI issues.

Amy Bruce, Chair, ISHA Early Intervention Committee

ISHA Legislative Commitee - Update on Endoscope Legislation

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act now states specifically that the use of endoscopes to evaluate and treat patients is within the SLPs scope of practice. Senate Bill 1483 was signed by Governor Quinn on 8-25-09. The "scope bill," as it became known is now PA 96-0719. The link to the full text is

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-0719

The SLP must have an appropriate physician verify competence and maintain that verification document at the SLP's practice site. Use this link: Verifcation of Competency to acces the form created for SLPs to have MDs sign to verify their competence, as stipulated in Senate Bill 1483.

Licensed SLPs who work in a hospital or hospital affiliate are exempt from the requirements of the new law at their practice site, but must meet the requirements their hospital establishes to authorize the SLP to provide rigid or flexible endoscopy.

News and Events

ISHA Launches New Online Career Center

Click on the "Post a Job" link at the top of the page for more information.