Hear, Hear Vermont! Bill H266 heats up
Hear Hear Vermont! leader and COVE Executive Director Ruby Baker is optimistic about bill H266.
As lawmakers show signs of moving forward with Bill H266, which requires private insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids, COVE Executive Director Ruby Baker answered a few questions about what could be a historic change in Vermont health insurance coverage.
Q: VPR reported today that the hearing aid bill you and other members of the Hearing Aid Coalition put together could be moving forward. What does that mean in practical terms? How excited should we be?
RB: This is a huge deal for many Vermonters. The bill would ensure insurance coverage for every sector that Vermont has authority over. It's really about equity and access to vital medical care. In Vermont we do a good job of covering people from the neck down, but not so good from the neck up. This is a step toward ensuring better equity and access for people with hearing loss.
Q: Why has this been such an important issue for COVE?
RB: Hearing loss is an issue that COVE has followed for a long time. As we age, there is an exponentially increasing risk that we will develop hearing loss. The more people we can help, the better. While this bill doesn't (because it can't) address Medicare, we still want to recognize that Vermonters of all ages can experience hearing loss and ultimately we are all aging.
Q: What are the changes Vermonters can expect to see if this bill is passed?
RB: This bill in its current state mandates hearing aid and hearing services coverage for teachers, state employees, and large group markets, which would add an additional ~79,000 people to the pool of those covered. Last week, we also managed to make a major step towards coverage for people in the individual and small group markets (think Obamacare plans and small employers), which is a pool of ~67,000 people. Added to the Medicaid pool, this is really significant for Verrmonters.
Q: What can people do to help push this bill over the finish line?
RB: Call your legislators and urge them to support this bill.