Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wisconsin is first to require cochlear implant insurance coverage...

Logan and I are currently in Madison, Wisconsin participating in the bilateral Cochlear implant study.

We have been here for two days, and already have had about 10-12 people congratulate us and ask how we feel on the new bill past last week. The first few times I smiled and nodded, not knowing what they were talking about-but figured it was something to do with hearing loss or Cochlear Implants. I then got to a computer and searched the internet to see what they were talking about.
I found that last week, Wisconsin lawmakers acted to become the first state to require insurance companies to cover cochlear implants for children with severe hearing loss. This was fantastic news and it was awesome to see how excited the locals were about something that didn't really affect them.
"Sen. Lassa [one of the authors of the Wisconsin bill] also noted research that suggests that Wisconsin taxpayers stand to save as much as $5,000 to $10,000 per child per year in reduced or eliminated special education services and a savings of about $1 million per person over their lifetime if more children can receive hearing aids and cochlear implants. Currently, thirteen states require that insurance companies cover hearing aids."

Click here and here for more info on this bill.

2 comments:

Melanie said...

Our governor still needs to sign the bill- but we are hoping he will! It is great news. Hope you are enjoying Madison.

Perry Family said...

That is terrific news! Impressive that WI did that.

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