NJ Hearing Aid Insurance Legislation

Dear Governor Corzine and NJ State Legislators:

We, the undersigned, are requesting the State of NJ enact a hearing aid insurance mandate. Although hearing aids are deemed a medically necessary treatment, insurance companies do NOT cover hearing aids. Hearing aids cost thousands of dollars per ear and need to be replaced every few years. This is can be an exorbitant financial burden on all individuals who are trying to get aided or to get their children aided.

Without the assistance of insurance to pay for hearing aids, many people will never experience the sense of hearing or the same quality of life as normal hearing people. In particular, hearing aid assistance for children is in a crisis. According to The Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the socioeconomic and educational effects on children who are not aided during the critical years of language development can be catastrophic. Every day that this is delayed, is one more day of rehabilitation that will be needed later. Every child has the right to learn to listen and talk.

NJ hearing aid insurance legislation (Bills A289 Grace's Law and S 413) has been languishing in the system for years. The lack of insurance coverage continues to be a major obstacle to the independence of people with this invisible disability. We strongly urge you to put these bills on the fast track to passage. Legislation of this type has already passed in other states. It's time for NJ to do the same!

The undersigned represent the interests of thousands of NJ Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children as well as parents of children with hearing loss.

(By electronically signing this petition, you are affirming that you are 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and you fully support this petition.)