HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2355        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1002

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Peter J. Durant

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to children's auditory health.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Peter J. Durant

6th Worcester

1/17/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2355        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1002

By Representative Durant of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1002) of Peter J. Durant relative to auditory healthcare coverage for children.  Financial Services.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1074 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to children's auditory health.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 23 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence of the second paragraph, and inserting the words "The commission shall provide to any child or adult, who is 26 years of age or younger, of an active or retired employee of the commonwealth and who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the cost of 1 hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear up to $2,000 for each hearing aid, as defined in section 196 of chapter 112, every 36 months upon a written statement from the child's treating physician that the hearing aids are necessary regardless of etiology."

SECTION 2. Section 4N of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence of the second paragraph, and inserting the words "An individual or group health maintenance contract, except contracts providing supplemental coverage to Medicare or other governmental programs, shall provide coverage and benefits for children 21 years of age or younger, who are insured under such contracts, for expenses incurred for the cost of 1 hearing aid per hearing impaired ear up to $2,000 for each hearing aid, as defined under section 196 of chapter 112, every 36 months upon a written statement from the child's treating physician that the hearing aids are necessary regardless of etiology.”