169days until
NC House addresses Bill H589

Support the Insurance/Cover Hearing Aids Bill for North Carolina.
 
"A child's ability to hear should not be determined based on family income.  It should be viewed as a fundamental right to the citizens of our state, especially when we have a mandated hearing screening program.  To diagnose deafness and then fail to provide intervention is morally and ethically unacceptable.  We need to provide access to hearing aids via multiple sources (Medicaid and private insurance) and it is essential that we maintain a 'safety net' (EHDI hearing aid funds) for those who don't qualify for other funding sources and to enable immediate hearing aid fitting following diagnosis." 
 
Famous quotes to help look at the Bill delay in a different way:
 
"We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch"
- John F. Kennedy
 
"If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever.  Use a pile-driver.  Hit the point once.  Then come back and hit it again.  Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!"
- Winston Churchill
 
The House postponed H589 until May 12, 2010, due to issues with the "rider" (Autism section) that was added by a Senate Committee at the very last minute.  The General Assembly might come back for a short session prior to May and, if this happens the action on the bill could change.  Representatives are upset with the Senate for causing this bill not to move forward.  Look for more details to come with possible action items!!!!
 
(Page Last Updated 8/26/2009)
 
(Click here to view latest version of bill H589.  Click here to view the Conference Committee Report.)
 
New!  - "NC Hearing Aid Legislative Update" brochure for H589.  Click here then use file "H589Update_BrochureV63.pdf"
Please feel free to distribute this brochure to interested parties!
 
  
ACTION NEEDED By Parents, Professional, and Children!!!
 
Parents and professionals please contact your legislators!
 
Thank them first for supporting the bill and express your disappointment that the bill was put off until next session.  Ask them to please address and pass the bill when the legislature next convenes.
 
In addition to your own legislators, letters should also be sent in the Senate to: Senator Rand, Garrou, Swindell, Dannelly, Albertson, and Basnight.
 
In the House additional letters should be sent to: Representative Hackney and Holloman.
 
(Need help getting started with a letter?  Click here then use file "DelayDisappointmentTemplate.doc")
 
It is always good to remind the legislators that the hearing aid section of the legislation can ultimately save our community significant dollars.  The average educational cost for a child with hearing loss who is not provided the necessary intervention, including hearing technology, is estimated to require special education services costing $417,000 to $500,000 during their educational years.  After leaving the educational setting it is estimated an additional $500,000 in public support will be required.
 
 
Special "Thank You" should go out to Rep. England, Rep. Glazier, Rep. Wiley, Rep. M. Alexander, and Sen. Purcell for their support as primary sponsors for H589/S375.  Without their support and leadership we would not be as far as where we are today!
 
 
Children should write their legislators! 
 
The children that have gone to meet and/or wrote their legislators have been very effective.  A simple template for a child to use could be:
 
"Thank you for your support of House Bill 589.  Please help fix the problem with it and pass this Bill when legislature next convenes.  This bill is needed to help children with hearing loss in our state."  [Optional: They can tell how their hearing aids help them.  (Or a sibling can tell how they have seen the heairng aids help their brother or sister.)]
 
 
We are in special need of families from certain areas to help!
 
Joni Alberg is looking for families in key legislative districts to volunteer to go with her to meet their Senator/Respresentative in their home district.  Please contact Joni Alberg (jalberg@ncbegin.org) if you live in any of the following areas:
 
(If you do not know who represents you, click here to find out who represents you.)
 
Beaufort, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Washington (District 1)
Duplin, Lenoir, Sampson (District 10)
Nash, Wilson (District 11)
Bladen, Cumberland (District 19)
Forsyth (District 32)
Mecklenburg (District 37 & 38)
 
Chatham, Moore, Orange (District 54)
Davidson (District 81)
 
 
Who are the Conferees for the Senate and House for Bill H589?
 
Senator Garrou, Rand, and Purcell (Bill Sponsor of Senate version S375)
 
Representative England (Bill Sponsor), Michaux, Jr., Holliman, Barnhart, E. Warren, and Spear.
 
 
To view the current or past updates on bill status click here.
 
Click here to look at pictures of children in action at our state capital for the House Insurance Committee meeting.  Click here to view Greensboro News and Record article: "Hear aid bill (video)" about the committee meeting.
 
 
(Initial 2009 Bill Support Information Section) 
 
Senate Bill 375 (S375) has been introduced into the North Carolina State Senate that will require health benefit plans and the state health plan to cover hearing aids and replacement of hearing aids for individuals under the age of 22.  Click here to read the actual initial Bill.
 
The following Senators are sponsors of this Bill: Senators Purcell, Apodaca, Bingham, Brunstetter, Dorsett, Forrester, McKissick, Rand, and Rouzer.
 
 
This Bill has also been introduced into the North Carolina House.  It is known as House Bill 589 (H589).  Click here to read the actual initial Bill.
 
The following Representatives are sponsors of this Bill:  Representatives England, M. Alexander, Wiley, Glazier (Primary Sponsors); Bell, Brisson, Carney, Crawford, Faison, Farmer-Butterfield, Harrison, Insko, Jackson, Jeffus, Jones, Lucas, Martin, McElraft, McLawhorn, Pierce, Randleman, Sutton, Tarleton, Wainwright, E. Warren, Whilden, and Williams.
 
 
What can you do?
 
  • Please contact and urge your State Senator and Representative to support Senate Bill 375 and House Bill 589!
If you do not know who represents you, click here to find out who represents you.
 
If you know who represents you, but do not have their contact information click here for state Senate or click here for the House of Representatives.
 
Sample form letters are available.  For parents with a child with a hearing loss click here.  For all other concerned citizens including professionals, relatives, and friends of children with a hearing loss click here.
  • Download, print out, and pass out copies of the "NC HA: Sign Your Support" document.  Parents, grandparents, and professionals are encourage to get signatures on this document to show support for the Bill.  Please mail completed forms to the address on the bottom of form.  Click here to go to "NC HA: Sign Your Support" document.
Other Resources
 
 
Click here to see tips on "How To Effectively Communicate With Your Legislators".
 
Click here to see "Talking Points for Parents" that can be used with legislators to discuss the legislation.
 
Click here to see "Talking Points for Professionals" that can be used with legislators to discuss the legislation.
 
Click here to see other resource documents like "Legislators with History of Support for Children with Hearing Loss" and "Listing of Supporting Organizations".