It is the opinion of health insurance companies that hearing aids are cosmetic devices and luxury items. It's the opinion of the Jersey City Desk most insurance companies should get their heads out of their collective asses and start paying their obligations; stop worrying about your CEO bonuses and wealth of your shareholders and recognize hearing is not a luxury.
Yep, despite pleas and lobbying from insurance companies, Acting Governor Richard Codey signed what is being called "Grace's Law," which requires health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for children age 15 and younger. The benefit can be capped at $1,000 every two years.
"Grace's Law" is named for Grace Gleba, a 9-year-old girl who was born with a severe hearing impairment. Also deserving of kudos are State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon), whose district includes Grace's town in Warren County, and Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) who stood up for what was right and not what the big companies wanted.
Hearing is NOT a luxury. Hearing is a necessity especially when a child is in their formative years trying to learn language skills. A child without these skills will obviously be set back learning-wise and is far more likely to become an actual burden on society the later they are forced to wait to get up to speed on the learning curve. Give a child the ability to compete fairly and learn alongside classmates (which by all accounts Grace Gleba is now doing) and stand back.
Just ask contemporary alt-rock star Ryan Adams (Whiskeytown), and Thomas Edison who had a hearing impairment which hurt his formal school learning. Neither allowed hearing disabilities to hold them back, and the more children we can help with their hearing aids, the more they can contribute to the fabric of society.
Hearing aids are fashion accessories? SHAME ON THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. I work with a woman who is hearing-impaired and I am certain she would tell you differently. Bravo for the passage of Grace's Law. But what a shame it takes legislation to make these damn companies step up and do what is right.
ReplyDeleteInsurance companies suck. You can follow every rule in the book and when you qualify, they'll somehow disqualify you under some new rule they just made up...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Johnny.
ReplyDeleteyou pay your high premiums only to have them NOT pay for a condition you need to be treated for.
what a SCAM and its a shame as well..