Today, I’m heading down to Springfield for a meeting to discuss SB 68 which would provide insurance coverage for hearing aids for Illinois residents of all ages. A group of us will be meeting with the opponents of the bill to hopefully reach a common ground in pushing a bill through for insurance coverage for hearing aids. Surprising to me is that the Illinois Academy of Audiology is one of the opponents for this bill. It is my understanding that they prefer to limit coverage to children only.
I know that there is a lot of fear that insurance premiums would rise outrageously if we were to pass this bill. I honestly don’t believe that will be the case. The bill is very reasonable– providing $2,500 coverage per ear, once every five years.
Reasonable.
Many insurance companies are now at the point where they cover bilateral cochlear implants without the long battles of yesteryear. One of my friends obtained bilateral cochlear implants not too long ago and she shared that the bill came to $225,000. She loves her implants and is enjoying all the new sounds she’s hearing each day. I am thrilled for her. I just want the same coverage for my family. There are ten of us with hearing aids. The hubby and I are wearing hearing aids that could use some repair. He’s got a broken T-switch. I have a broken battery door. We both could use new hearing aids but we’ll have to flip a coin to decide who gets one first. We hold off, because this is the last year our children quality for state aid for their hearing aids. What if one of them goes out?
Consider this– if all of us were to get new hearing aids at once, it is a tiny, tiny fraction of the cost of all of us getting bilateral cochlear implants. Just something to think about when we talk about insurance coverage.
Tomorrow, there will be a rally down in Springfield, hosted by CCDI and INCIL at noon. Meet at Adams Street, by the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, 701 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL. Tomorrow is the deadline for this bill to be brought to the floor. What does this mean? It means that each one of us has to take some time TODAY to call your Senator and tell them you want this bill voted on and passed.
Here is a list of all the Illinois Senators and their contact information: Illinois Senators
Here’s how to find out who is your Illinois Senator: Find Senators by Address
The deadline is April 30th to get this bill to the floor and voted on. Call, write, email, fax, visit YOUR Senator and the following Senators (thank the co-sponsors!):
Here’s the contact information for the Senators:
Senator Ira Silverstein (Bill sponsor) isilverstein@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-5500
Senator Jacqueline Collins (Bill co-sponsor) : senatorcollins@sbcglobal.net 217-782-1607
Senator Dan Cronin (Bill co-sponsor): 630-792-0040
Senator Martin Sandoval (Bill co-sponsor): (708) 656-2002
Senator A. J. Wilhemi (Bill co-sponsor): (217) 782-8800
Senator Don Harmon (Bill co-sponsor): (217) 782-8176
Senator M. Maggie Crotty (Bill co-sponsor): (708) 687-9696
Senator William Haine (heads the subcommittee): whaine@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-5247
Senator Duffy: dan@senatorduffy.com 217-782-8010
Senator Forby: gforby@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-5509
Senator Hendon: ihammons@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-6252
Senator Burzynski: senatorbrad@verizon.net 217-782-1977
Senator Munoz: amunoz@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-9415
Senator Syverson: info@senatordavesyverson.com 217-782-5413
Senator Hayes: jhayes@sentedem.ilga.gov
The time is now to get this bill passed. Let’s make it happen.