South Michigan News

The House Insurance and Financial Services Committee has approved a bipartisan plan to make hearing aids more accessible for children in Michigan who need them. The plan, introduced by Rep. Dale Zorn, aims to address the lack of hearing coverage provided by many insurance companies.

According to Rep. Zorn, "Sadly, those children are at a serious disadvantage as many insurance companies do not offer hearing coverage." He emphasized the importance of taking action to make hearing aids more accessible early on, as it significantly increases academic success for children facing hearing loss. Zorn's plan, House Bill 4944, would ensure that Michigan children's health insurance covers treatment for hearing loss through age 19, with up to $3,000 in coverage per hearing aid every 36 months.

The increase in premium costs for policyholders is estimated to be just 10 to 17 cents per month, while saving the state approximately $650,000 per individual in lifetime support. This means that the benefits of the plan far outweigh the minimal additional cost to policyholders.

Rep. Zorn introduced the measure alongside Rep. Samantha Steckloff, who introduced House Bill 4936. This bill ensures that coverage is available for audiological exams, hearing aid evaluations and maintenance, as well as audiologist or speech-language pathology services. By working together, Zorn and Steckloff hope to provide comprehensive coverage for children with hearing disabilities.

Former Miss Michigan KT Maviglia-Morgan, a child hearing loss advocate, has been working closely with Rep. Zorn for the past 10 years to push for a hearing aid bill for children in Michigan. Maviglia-Morgan expressed her optimism about the bills being voted out of committee, stating, "Getting our bills voted out of committee today is a step in the right direction toward making a difference for children in our state." She also highlighted the bipartisan support for the plan, stating that "This bipartisan participation proves child hearing aid coverage is something everyone can get behind."

The approval by the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee is a significant milestone for the hearing aid accessibility bill. The bills will now move to be considered by the full House. If passed, this legislation will ensure that children in Michigan have access to the necessary hearing aids and treatments they need to thrive academically and in their everyday lives.