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Committee Hears Proponents and Safety Concerns on Bill Protecting Telehealth for Audiologists
Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 6,226 would bar the Board of Hearing and Speech from adopting rules that prevent clinicians from choosing telehealth; proponents (clinicians, industry groups, ADA) urged passage to preserve access, while the Washington Hearing Society and a Board member urged clearer patient-safety language or a brief delay for stakeholder review.
The House Healthcare and Wellness Committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 6,226, which limits the Board of Hearing and Speech's ability to adopt rules that would prevent audiologists, speech-language pathologists or hearing-aid specialists from using clinical judgment to select telehealth or in-person care.
Chris Blake, committee staff, explained that the Department of Health and the Board of Hearing and Speech jointly regulate audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing-aid specialists, and that SB 6,226 would ensure rules do not prevent clinicians from using their judgment about telehealth versus in-person visits. The bill language also preserves the board’s authority to adopt standards of care on…
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