Ally’s Act, H.R. 5485
The Ear Community Organization began advocating in February of 2019 for hearing device insurance coverage. There are many people who have come together to help advocate for hearing device insurance coverage with Ear Community. Both, Rachel (Ear Community Board Member) and Melissa Tumblin (Ear Community Founder) diligently worked together on this bill along the side of Congressman Neguse and his staff. Our bill was also reviewed by many medical organization’s with suggestions being made to it as part of the approval process prior to the introduction of this bill, Ally’s Act H.R. 5485. With the help of many Ear Community family members, educators and medical professionals, the community is making progress on gaining co-sponsorship for Ally’s Act, H.R. 5485, a bipartisan national level bill that will ensure private insurance providers cover osseointegrated hearing devices including bone anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants for children and adults, including coverage toward surgery costs, accessories, medical appointments and aural therapy services.
H.R. 5485 was introduced by Congressman Joe Neguse, who represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, after 10-year-old Ally Tumblin – who lives in Broomfield – wrote to Congressman Neguse asking him to help her advocate to hear better. The bill is titled “Ally’s Act” in her honor. Ally, a ten-year-old from Broomfield, Colorado and a constituent of Congressman Neguse’s, was born without a right ear or hearing canal and therefore requires the use of a BAHA. After Ally’s insurance company denied coverage of her hearing device, her mother Melissa formed the organization Ear Community to help advocate for insurance coverage of these hearing devices to ensure no person is left unable to hear because of private insurance companies’ refusal to provide coverage. The bill is titled “Ally’s Act” in her honor.
“For Ally and others with varying modes of hearing loss, OIDs are miraculous devices that create opportunities for them to actively participate in our communities,” said Congressman Neguse. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside Melissa and Ally to create better access to these devices for individuals throughout our nation. We must ensure that insurance coverage for hearing devices is consistent and fair, to ensure every child can thrive and obtain the healthcare they deserve”
“Hearing device insurance coverage needs to be consistent, offering coverage for all ages on a national level. With a bill in place, we are one step closer to achieving the goal of creating improved, equitable hearing healthcare,” said Melissa Tumblin, Executive Director and Founder of Ear Community. “Hearing is fundamental to early education and speech development and needs to be provided for all those needing hearing assistance.”
“As the only Member of Congress with a cochlear implant, I know from firsthand experience the difference in the quality of life these devices can provide,” Congressman McKinley said.” “Ally’s Act will help thousands of Americans with severe hearing loss gain access to life-changing treatment.”
Many throughout the United States are born with hearing loss due to congenital anomalies, including aural atresia (underdeveloped or absent ear canals) and/or microtia (physically missing ears). OIDs help different forms of hearing loss than traditional hearing aids and are often the only hearing device that can restore hearing for these individuals.
“As someone who was born with severe conductive hearing loss, I know the passage of this bill will improve the quality of life in immeasurable ways for children and adults by creating affordable solutions that have not been available in the past,” said Rachel Songy, member of Ear Community’s Board of Directors. “This bill will be a huge step in helping more people to hear, especially those who have not had that chance before.”
Ally’s Act was originally co-sponsored by Congressmen David McKinley (R-WV) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). Since introduction in January, Congressman Neguse has secured additional support from Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Tony Cardenas (D-CA).
A growing number of organizations that support Ally’s Act currently include Ear Community, the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Waiting to Hear, HearStrong, Lemon Aids 4 Hearing, Songs for Sound, Inc, American Tinnitus Association, the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Aid the Silent 98% and the Broomfield, CO City Council.
The following are some news clips that have aired thanks to community advocacy:
Ally’s Act CBS channel 4 news clip https://denver.cbslocal.
Ally’s Act WJHL channel 11 news clip https://www.wjhl.com/
Ally’s Act WYCB channel 5 news clip https://wcyb.com/news/
Ally’s Act WCYB channel 5 news clip https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.9news.com/article/features/broomfield-girl-changing-the-world-by-inspiring-federal-bill/73-0754b87c-4fb7-454e-8742-cd2f602106a2
Ally’s Act Denver channel 9 news clip https://www.9news.com/article/features/broomfield-girl-changing-the-world-by-inspiring-federal-bill/73-0754b87c-4fb7-454e-8742-cd2f602106a2
Related news paper articles to Ally’s Act, H.R. 5485:
Press Release for Ally’s Act, H.R. 5485: December 20, 2019
CONGRESSMAN NEGUSE INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED HEARING DEVICES
Link to press release: https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/2019/12/20/congressman-neguse-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-access-to-specialized-hearing-devices
Broomfield Youth Helps Spearhead H.R. 5485
Broomfield Endorses Rep Neguse Bill to Ensure Health Insurance Coverage of Hearing Devices
Ally’s Act seeks to increase access to specialized hearing devices
Link to article: https://broomfield.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1808
Broomfield Girl Inspires Hearing Aid Legislation
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse advocates for insurance coverage
Link to article:https://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2019/12/20/915523/
About Melissa Tumblin
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