Advocacy

Legislation and Advocacy

The 2011 Vice President for Advocacy is Julie Pratt. Legislative questions and comments can be directed to the MSHA office or directly to Julie by clicking on her name to send an e-mail.

Licensure Applications

We are happy to announce that process for licensure has begun. Even though the licensing application is not yet posted on the website (the rules are still waiting for final approval), there is a pdf of information that individuals can begin to do in preparation for the application process. In addition to fingerprinting this includes ASHA verification of CCC, any states that may have issued a license to the potential applicant, etc. Once the official application is available the state will notify us so that applications can be submitted. To begin the process please see the State of Michigan website at:

http://www.mi.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-27417_27529_53664---,00.html

If the the link does not work please go to http://www.mi.gov/lara then:

-Click on "Health Systems and Health Professions" (the 4th item on the left side)

-Click on "Licensing for Health Care Professionals"

-Click on "Speech-Language Pathology"

-Click on "Licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist"

Governor Signs Licensure Bill into Law

The Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association is proud and excited to announce the passing of licensure for speech language pathologists in Michigan. The licensure law was signed into place by Governor Granholm January 13, 2009. The passing and signing of this law are the result of decades of work toward this goal. Many many thanks go out to ALL who have been involved over the several years of this process.

Licensure for our field defines our scope of practice and outlines our roles,, responsibilities, and skills. The current law (PA 524) is a comprehensive licensure law requiring all speech language pathologists in the state of Michigan to obtain licensure. Michigan is now joining the other 47 states that require licensure for our profession. Here are a few initial Questions & Answers with more to follow:

Protects the individuals of all ages who need the services of SLPs
Identifies the differences between SLPs and others (paraprofessionals, assistants, teachers and rehabilitation techs) for employers, clients, family members and the public
Ensures that only those of us with the appropriate qualifications and training can provide speech-language pathology services
Deters the hiring or substitution of other workers who do not have the necessary, accurate and/or appropriate education, qualifications and training
Provides job portability allowing those who are qualified for full licensure to work in all settings
Enhances recruitment of CFYs and other professionals from other states to work in Michigan
Deters unethical behavior from professionals and employers, such as under/over utilization, fraud and misrepresentation
Allows a venue for you, as a professional, to express concerns regarding those in your profession who may be unethical in their practice
Provides a venue for consumers to seek censure of individuals who have committed malpractice or other unethical behavior
Provides the necessary authority to intervene in cases of provider misconduct
Increases accessibility to and reimbursement from third-party payer sources (such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan) who stipulate that only licensed/regulated professionals participate in their plans.

What happens now?

A licensure board has been appointed by Governor Granholm and the following people will be serving on it:

Brit Austin, of Oxford, Speech-Language Pathologist with EBS Health Care and Rainbow Rehab and Total Rehabilitation Services, is appointed to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2010.
Judith Brown Clarke, Ph.D., of Lansing, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Inclusion with the Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and Sciences, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 31, 2013.
Frances Eldis, Ph.D., of Redford, Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Wayne State University Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, is appointed to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2010.
Ellen Fairbrother, of Southfield, Speech-Language Pathologist and President of Accent Reduction, Inc., is appointment to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2011.
Thomas Koepke, Ph.D., of Clinton Township, Director of Special Education Management Services with the Macomb Intermediate School District, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 31, 2012.
Jeanette Meyer, M.D., of Kalamazoo, Medical Director of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with CentraCare, is appointed to represent physicians for a term expiring December 31, 2012.
Donna Riccio Omichinski, of Ann Arbor, Research Area Specialist Associate with the Social Science, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the University of Michigan Medical School, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 31, 2011.
Lizbeth Stevens, Ph.D., of Berkley, Associate Professor and Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Coordinator at Eastern Michigan University, is appointed to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2012.
Katie Strong,Vice-Chair, of East Lansing, Faculty Specialist with the Michigan State University Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and private practitioner with Strong Speech Consulting Inc., is appointed to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2011.
Timothy Weise, Board Chair, of Grosse Ile, Director of Rehabilitation Therapies at Garden City Hospital, is appointed to represent professionals for a term expiring December 31, 2013.

The rules have been released for public review and a hearing will be held on June 6th. The rules can be viewed on the following link:

http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/rules.asp?type=dept&id=LG&subId=2010%2D004+LR&subCat=Revision+Text

For more information please see the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website at:

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-27417_27529_53664---,00.html

Once the rules are accepted, the Department of Community Health will notify you to apply for licensure. At that time, a deadline for compliance will be provided.

MSHA will keep you posted with information that you need to know in the et cetera and on the website.

How can I get more information?

Contact the MSHA office.

http://www.mi.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-27417_27529_53664---,00.html

http://www.mi.gov/lara

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