ABOUT SB943
Join us in supporting Oregon Senate Bill 943!​​
SB 943 will modernize audiologists' licensure laws to improve access, affordability, and quality of care for patients across the state and at every stage of life.​​​ How does SB 943 do this?
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It codifies audiologists' ability to perform basic health screenings. Those are non-diagnostic screeners that are routinely performed by medical assistants and smart devices like phones and watches.
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It aligns audiologists' scope with their doctoral training, to include the ability to order medical imaging and blood work when appropriate. Other professions with similar or lower training requirements are able to order these tests, including physician associates, nurse practitioners, optometrists, and chiropractic physicians.
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It allows audiologists to better support clinical operations through improved use of trained audiology assistants in basic testing. Physicians and naturopathic physicians can already utilize audiology assistants this way, but not audiologists.
World Hearing day update
As of March 3rd, SB943's supporters have testified at a Senate Health Care Committee hearing, met with senators and their staffers, and submitted numerous letters of support. However, we still find ourselves in an uphill battle.
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The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) and members of the Senate committee have raised concerns around patient safety and if there is an actual need for this bill. Many patient stories have been submitted about the need for this and we have submitted literature supporting the safety of audiologists ordering imaging and blood work.
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We are working on scheduling a meeting with the OMA to discuss their concerns and work toward amendments that satisfy their concerns. In the meantime, we still need your help! The more patient and audiologist stories we can put in front of the committee, the better we can make our case. What we really need right now is the support of ENTs and other physicians who can see the potential this has for improving their practice by ensuring they only see the patients who really need their expertise.
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If you are a patient, and audiologist, or a physician with a story that highlights the benefits of this bill, please take this World Hearing Day as an opportunity to support better hearing health for every Oregonian by writing a letter to the members of the Senate Health Care Committee or your personal senator. Click "Send a Letter" at the top of the page for letter templates and links to find your senator's contact information.
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Thank you!