The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) this week for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP authorizes up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology invites audiologists and other professionals to submit instructional seminar proposals for AuDacity 2021, which will be held October 25-27, 2021 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

On December 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (HR 133) into law. The following provisions were included in this Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2021. These audiology related provisions include:

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the Agency’s proposed 2021 revisions to payment policies under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Part B Payment Policies.

ADA Statement on Passage of S. 785 and Inclusion of Section 703: Prescription of Technical Qualifications for Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists and Requirement for Appointment of Such Specialists

September 23, 2020 — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 785 (The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act). While this bi-partisan legislation is primarily designed to reduce veteran suicide by improving access to and the delivery of mental health services for veterans in crisis, it also contained a provision (Section 703) that stipulates the process for determining technical qualifications for licensed hearing aid specialists (HAS) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and requirements for their appointment at VA medical centers.