FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Contact: Hannah Rehm
Hannah.Rehm@mail.house.gov
Rep. Neguse Reintroduces “Ally’s Act,” Bipartisan Bill Inspired By 13-Year-Old Constituent, to Expand Access to Specialized Hearing
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) announced the introduction of “Ally’s Act,” H.R. 2439, his bicameral, bipartisan legislation to ensure private insurance companies cover osseointegrated hearing devices (“OIDs”), including bone anchored hearing aids (“BAHA”) and cochlear implants. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) joined the reintroduction (S. 1135). A 13-year-old Coloradan, Ally, who was born without a right ear or hearing canal and requires the use of a BAHA, inspired the bill.
After Ally’s insurance company denied coverage of her hearing device, her mother, Melissa Tumblin, formed the organization Ear Community to advocate for insurance coverage of these devices to ensure no person is left unable to hear because of private insurance companies’ refusal to provide coverage. During his first term in Congress, Congressman. Neguse received a letter from Ally detailing her circumstances; after learning about her situation Congressman Neguse introduced legislation to expand coverage for Americans like Ally.
“For Ally and for countless Americans across this nation, specialized hearing devices are critical for communicating. For insurance companies to deny coverage for these essential devices is unconscionable. We must continue to push for the enactment of this legislation to expand critical care for so many. I am thankful to Ally and her family for bringing this issue to our attention, and proud to continue the fight,” said Congressman Joe Neguse.
“When an insurance provider denies coverage for a child or adult to obtain a bone conduction hearing device or cochlear implant, the opportunity for communication and to pursue certain careers is taken away. It is imperative that private insurers provide access to these types of hearing devices, including the necessary hearing health care that is associated with them. Ally’s Act would ensure coverage for these hearing devices, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, “ said Melissa Tumblin, Ally’s Mother and the Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community.
The bill is widely supported, with many individuals born with microtia and atresia calling on lawmakers to get Ally’s Act passed.
Shannon Culbertson is an audiologist who was born with bilateral microtia and atresia–meaning both ears and ear canals are missing. Culbertson chose her career because she wanted to help others with hearing loss. On the reintroduction of Ally’s Act Shannon Culbertson, Au.D. and Ear Community Board Member, stated: “As an audiologist that wears a bone conduction hearing device, I have personally felt the frustration of insurance denying coverage for my ability to access communication in my everyday environment. Insurance coverage should not dictate who has access to sound. Ally’s Act will improve the quality of life and peace of mind for individuals and families that rely on these devices for spoken language”.
Rep. Neguse and his colleagues introduced this legislation in both the 116th and 117th sessions of Congress.
“Hearing loss challenges millions of Americans every year, and access to these devices can vastly improve quality of life,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will make a difference for those suffering from hearing loss.”
“Millions of Americans experience disabling hearing loss and having access to hearing implants is essential to the well-being of those who experience varying levels of deafness,” said Congressman Thompson. “As one of those Americans who lives with hearing loss, I am proud to reintroduce Ally’s Act with Reps. Neguse and Fitzpatrick and Senators Warren and Capito to make sure that private insurance covers needed hearing technologies. This bill will help to secure a bright future for American children who have experienced hearing loss.”
“Auditory implant devices and external sound processors can be life-changing for individuals who suffer from severe hearing loss. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce Ally’s Act, legislation that would ensure insurance companies cover these hearing aids and provide relief to those born with hearing loss and their families. Our senses are something we too often take for granted, and I will continue to work to establish better access to these critical hearing devices,” Senator Capito said.
“Too many people across the United States can’t access critical and life-changing hearing devices because they just can’t afford them,” said Senator Warren. “I wrote the bill that made hearing aids available over-the-counter, and I am excited to reintroduce a bipartisan bill that will ask insurers to chip in so those who need specialized hearing devices can access them.”
Find more information on the bill HERE and bill text at HERE.
This bill is endorsed by over 55 advocacy, academic, and non-profit organizations, including Ear Community; American Academy of Audiology; American Cochlear Implant Alliance; American Pediatric Surgical Association; American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Otolaryngology; Harvard Medical School – Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Otolaryngology; Hearing Industries Association; Hearing Loss Association of America; Hearing Health Foundation; Johns Hopkins Cochlear Implant Center, National Rural Health Association; New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai; Stanford Microtia and Atresia Clinic; and University of California San Francisco Medical School.
The full list of endorsements can be found below here
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