Rep. Laura Wiley represents part of Guilford County in the state House; and is on the verge of surrendering her seat. She has had a bill that would require insurance companies to pay for hearing aids. (HT: Binker)
This bill undoubtedly is well-intentioned. But we need to think about what the effect would be if each of dozens (or hundreds) of legislators at the state and federal level each found their own specific "cause" to advocate for insurance payment.
The result would be a multiplicity of insurance mandates-- and that is, in fact, the situation in which many states now find themselves. And a multiplicity of mandates will be the inevitable outcome of Obamacare as well.
The problem is that these mandates drive up insurance costs. That makes insurance less affordable for the uninsured-- and indeed, for anyone who pays all or part of their health insurance premiums, directly or indirectly.
Sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes.
From the Capital Beat blog:
The bill would require insurers to cover one hearing aid per affected ear for people 22-years-old and younger every 36 months.Although the bill covers children of all ages, Wiley said that it would be particularly useful in addressing the needs of newborns.“If these children are given proper care and amplification in the first six months of life, they will gain the language foundation necessary for literacy and academic success,” Wiley said.
Joni Alberg, director of Beginnings for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc., said that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina supported the bill. Nobody from outside the legislature spoke against the measure in committee.According to staff reports, this bill might cost the average health insurance policy holder 39-cents additional on their policy. Medicaid already covers hearing aids in a similar way. Push back came from Rep. William Current, a Gastonia Republican, who worried that imposing more requirements on insurance companies would drive up the cost of health care. Wiley argued that it would cost more for both the insurance companies and the state care for hearing impaired children in the long run if they didn’t provide hearing aids. And Wiley brought cute kids to testify on behalf of the bill. Collin Tastet, 8, of Greensboro, told the committee he got hearing aids at 8-weeks-old and that they should pass the bill.
Posted by: Can't hear you.... | May 27, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Hey Mrs Wiley .. Will this be okay ?
Lee Majors Bionic Ear for only $14.95
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-8r64JEFTw
Posted by: Tin Ear | May 28, 2010 at 01:35 PM