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www.jsonline.com Legislature OKs bill requiring insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids, cochlear implants
By Patrick Marley And Stacy Forster Updated: Apr. 23, 2009 2:25 p.m.
Madison - Both the Senate and Assembly Thursday passed a bill requiring health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for hearing-impaired children.
The bill cleared the Assembly 80-16, while the Senate approved it on a voice vote. It now heads to Gov. Jim Doyle, who is expected to sign it.
About 200 children are born with permanent hearing loss in Wisconsin each year, according to backers of the bill.
Supporters said the measure would help those children improve their hearing at a younger age, which will lead to better language development and academic achievement while saving school districts in special education costs.
Cochlear implants and hearing aids can be costly. Bill author Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) has said families pay as much as $3,000 per hearing aid every three years, while receiving a cochlear implant can cost thousands of dollars. "It's going to allow them to keep their hearing and become members of society that can learn, and go to school and get jobs," said Rep. David Cullen (D-Milwaukee), who sponsored the bill with Lassa and Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids).
Some raised objections about adding a mandate for insurance companies, which opponents said would drive up the cost of insurance. "People are losing their jobs, the cost of health care is increasing, and you're just going to add to it," said Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa).
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Legislature OKs bill requiring insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids, cochlear implants
By Patrick Marley And Stacy Forster
Updated: Apr. 23, 2009 2:25 p.m.
Madison - Both the Senate and Assembly Thursday passed a bill requiring health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for hearing-impaired children.
The bill cleared the Assembly 80-16, while the Senate approved it on a voice vote. It now heads to Gov. Jim Doyle, who is expected to sign it.
About 200 children are born with permanent hearing loss in Wisconsin each year, according to backers of the bill.
Supporters said the measure would help those children improve their hearing at a younger age, which will lead to better language development and academic achievement while saving school districts in special education costs.
Cochlear implants and hearing aids can be costly. Bill author Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) has said families pay as much as $3,000 per hearing aid every three years, while receiving a cochlear implant can cost thousands of dollars. "It's going to allow them to keep their hearing and become members of society that can learn, and go to school and get jobs," said Rep. David Cullen (D-Milwaukee), who sponsored the bill with Lassa and Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids).
Some raised objections about adding a mandate for insurance companies, which opponents said would drive up the cost of insurance. "People are losing their jobs, the cost of health care is increasing, and you're just going to add to it," said Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa).