PRINTER'S NO. 470
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
50
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, HOHENSTEIN, SANCHEZ, ISAACSON, McNEILL,
HILL-EVANS, GUENST, SCHLOSSBERG, N. NELSON, NEILSON, CIRESI,
KINKEAD, WEBSTER, MALAGARI, BRIGGS AND DELLOSO,
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 10, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to expand Medicare to
include coverage of hearing aids.
WHEREAS, Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for:
(1) Individuals 65 years of age or older.
(2) Individuals younger than 65 years of age who have
certain disabilities.
(3) Individuals of all ages who have end-stage renal
disease;
and
WHEREAS, Medicare consists of four parts:
(1) Medicare Part A, which provides hospital insurance.
(2) Medicare Part B, which provides medical insurance.
(3) Medicare Part C, which is popularly known as
"Medicare Advantage," and is a type of Medicare health plan
offered by a private company that includes benefits from
Medicare Parts A and B and that usually includes benefits
from Medicare Part D.
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(4) Medicare Part D, which provides prescription drug
coverage;
and
WHEREAS, The Medicare program was signed into law on July 30,
1965; and
WHEREAS, More than 2.5 million Americans received hospital
care covered by Medicare in the first six months of the program;
and
WHEREAS, More than 62.9 million Americans, including more
than 2.78 million residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
were enrolled in Medicare as of October 2020; and
WHEREAS, Medicare does not cover hearing exams, hearing aids
or exams for fitting hearing aids, and only Medicare Part B
covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams if ordered by a
doctor to determine the necessity of medical treatment; and
WHEREAS, There are three types of hearing loss:
(1) Conductive hearing loss, which involves the outer or
middle ear.
(2) Sensorineural hearing loss, which involves the inner
ear.
(3) Mixed hearing loss, which involves a combination of
conductive and sensorineural hearing loss;
and
WHEREAS, There are four degrees of hearing loss, including
mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss, all of which
can impact an individual's work, social life and personal life;
and
WHEREAS, While hearing loss can occur at any age, it affects
an estimated 48 million Americans 12 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, Hearing aids can greatly improve the quality of life
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of an individual with hearing loss; and
WHEREAS, States cannot expand Medicare coverage to include
hearing aids as Medicare is a Federal program; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United
States to expand Medicare to include coverage of hearing aids;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the presiding officers of each house of Congress and each member
of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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