Above is the floor speech by Senator Overbey regarding Senate Bill 607 / HB 761

 (NASHVILLE, TN), May 5, 2011 -- Legislation requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 19 to 13.  Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), requires that health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.

“Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn,” said Senator Overbey.   “There are many benefits to passing this legislation.  If you provide hearing aids in early childhood, you save money for therapeutic services and medical treatment down the road.  The true savings of allowing children to have hearing aids, however, is that they become active members of their school from day one.”

The bill now goes back to the House for approval of a minor amendment before it goes to the Governor for his signature.

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