Are you frustrated that insurance companies are not reimbursing client sessions at a reasonable rate? Would you like to know more about WSLHA’s efforts to lobby our state legislature to change medical reimbursement? Are you ready to be an agent of change? If so, PLEASE join us for WSLHA Advocacy Day 2025!
Students, SLPAs, Associate Members, SLP CFs, SLPs/AuDs and Life Members: Please join us for this informative and useful webinar presented by WSLHA Lobbyist, Melissa Johnson, JD. We need you all!
Note: 15 min break included but cannot earn CEUs for the break duration.
Morning CEU Event: There are three options for viewing the morning event.
Live in-person event located at: Capitol Event Center, ESD 113, 6005 Tyee Dr SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
Watch live event via Zoom
Recording also available two weeks after the live event.
Afternoon Non-CEU Event: this event is to be scheduled by each individual prior to the CEU morning event with their legislative representatives, most likely at the Washington State Capitol Building and Campus, 416 Sid Snyder Ave, SW Olympia, WA 98504.
The Capitol Building has paid visitor parking, ADA parking, EV charging stations and bike racks; General public visitor parking for $2 between 7:00am - 5:00pm view lots and additional information here.
Pricing: $35 for WSLHA Members | $50 for Non-Members
Note: SLP and AuD Students attend for free (no need to be a WSLHA Student member!), please continue to register!
Registrants: Please indicate any special needs during registration e.g. related to sensory (hearing, vision, or tactile support, etc.), physical limitations (mobility issues, chronic pain, etc.), learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, communication difficulties (speech impediments, language barriers, etc.), mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, etc.), neurodiversity (autism spectrum disorders, etc.), closed captioning, dietary or facility access needs, etc.).
Meet Speaker Melissa Johnson, JD
Melissa Johnson, JD is a lobbyist who focuses on health care, education, human services, and business issues for Washington state. For over 27 years, Melissa has advocated on behalf of her clients to the Washington State Legislature and the State Executive Branch.
Prior to joining Bogard & Johnson, where she is a current partner, Melissa was a staff member with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Washington State House of Representatives. She also practiced law in the Seattle area.
Melissa graduated with distinction from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Science. She received her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, DC.
From WSLHA: WSLHA recognized Melissa Johnson with the Distinguished Service Award. Melissa has provided over 27 years of service as our WSLHA Lobbyist. She advocates on WSLHA’s behalf with the Legislature, Department of Health, and multiple regulatory entities. Melissa provides consistent communication and education regarding the issues affecting SLPs and audiologists, and the public we serve as clients and students.
Her focused work includes:
Legislative efforts to protect the SLP and Audiology scope of practice.
Developing a network of contacts of legislators and other allied health and educational groups and leadership.
Mentorship and support to the Board, WSLHA committees and members.
Abstract:
This presentation serves as preparation for WSLHA’s Advocacy Day with a theme emphasizing the initiatives of our state association’s collaboration with allied professional associations during the upcoming legislative session to improve medical reimbursement rates and patient access to quality services. Melissa Johnson, WSLHA’s Lobbyist, will present on her background and role as lobbyist; describe key lawmakers in the healthcare space; explain how a bill becomes a law; present WSLHA’s legislative priorities; and teach advocacy tools to contact legislators. A legislator will present, along with another advocate in healthcare and human services. This workshop is divided into two distinct focuses:
Deeper education on the process and strategies for passing legislation, and
A call to action with strategies for meeting with legislators.
Agenda
9:00AM - 10:15AM | Legislative process and advocacy strategies
10:15AM - 10:30AM | Break
10:30AM - 11:45AM | An invited advocate for health and human services coalitions will illustrate how speech and hearing issues dovetail with other legislative priorities and an invite to a legislator will provide participants a real-time update from the Capitol.
Afternoon Non-CEU Credit: schedule in advance, a meet-up with your legislator to advocate for yourself and your profession (locate your legislative and congressional districts and legislators by inputting your home address at this site.
Learning Objectives:
Morning Event Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:
Describe how a bill becomes a law.
Define WSLHA’s legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
List several talking points in support for WSLHA’s legislative agenda.
Disclosures:
Financial: Melissa Johnson, JD is paid a $1500 monthly retainer to represent WSLHA.
Non-Financial: Melissa Johnson, JD has professional relationships with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Washington and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA).
This program will be recorded for later viewing up to 14 days following the workshop. You must register before the event. WSLHA will send out a link to the recording to those who registered after the live session.
Note: ASHA awarded WSLHA a $1000 student advocacy grant to support this event.
Introductory Level – 0.25 ASHA CEUs
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
WSLHA charges a processing fee of $5.00 for ASHA CEUs ($7.00 non-members).
OSPI Clock Hours – 2.5 hours. OSPI clock hours available through ESD 113 by registering at https://www.pdenroller.org/ prior to the event from ESD113. Fees may apply.
ASHA CEUs must be purchased separately and in addition to the course registration fee prior to the event. OSPI clock hours must be purchased separately prior to the event from the ESD 113. You still must register and pay for the course through WSLHA.
