House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on H.B. 2105 Thursday in Capitol

Rep. Liz Hanbidge August 4, 2020 | 1:48 PM

HARRISBURG, Aug. 4 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on H.B. 2105, which would provide insurance coverage of hearing aids.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in the Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to watch the live stream at www.pahouse.com/live.

The hearing was requested by state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, to collect feedback on her legislation. She noted that hearing aids are currently only required to be covered for Medicaid recipients under age 21, leaving many Pennsylvanians in need to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs (an average of $2,300 per device) to access hearing assistance. Testifiers and members will participate in person and remotely.

Testifiers will include:

Neil McDevitt, executive director, Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre.
Kay Tyberg, deaf and hard-of-hearing advocate on behalf of Hearing Loss Association of PA and Puget Sound Association of the Deaf.
Alexandra Costlow, Au.D., F-AAA, doctor of audiology.
Colleen Shaffer, parent.