Archive for September 2009

Hearing Aid Bills Filed in MA. HB 910 (for kids) and HB 3598

26. September 2009 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Text of HB 3598 http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht03/ht03598.htm

Nini Silver of the Disability Policy Consortium invites the hearing impaired community to meetings to prepare for Beacon Hill testimony on November 10 on these bills:

Rep. Sean Garballey filed House Bill 910. If passed, the bill would cover one hearing aid per hearing impaired ear up to $1,600 every three years (with an option for the insured to pay the difference in cost for a higher-priced aid).

There will be a hearing on November 10th at the State House. Room and time to be announced. A group of folks will be meeting at the DPC office to prepare for the hearing. We will meet on October 1st 6-8PM and November 5th 6-8PM. CART is confirmed and interpreters have been requested. I hope you can join us. A copy of the current bill is attached.
Also, FYI, MASHA is in full support of this bill. I will be attending their meeting on October 8th to talk to them in depth about the bill. We already have a large group of supporters.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Nini Silver
Community Organizer
Disability Policy Consortium email: nsilver@dpcma.org

Additional comment on HB910 by Dr.Brian J. Fligor, Sc.D., CCC-A
“As I am sure many of you on this list know, one key ingredient to getting the audiology community behind legislation that mandates coverage for hearing aids and related services in the option to allow for “balance billing” when the device and services will exceed the benefit amount. Putting a cap on the benefit, without the option of balance billing, would tie the hands of the dispensing professional to allow the insured to access higher level technology when needed. As well, within a few years, this $1600 will likely be less of a benefit than it is now, given everything costs more over time due to inflation. Making this a benefit toward the cost of the device and services and allow for balance-billing would at least make this relevant legislation in 10 years.

To my knowledge, Rep. Garballey has confirmed to Lisa Adams (lcadams56@hotmail.com), who is the organizer of Mass.HAFCC – a (primarily) parent group with the mission to have passed legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of the device and professional services for children needing hearing aids. that an amendment is in HB 910 to confirm this important option.”

Brian J. Fligor, Sc.D., CCC-A

Director of Diagnostic Audiology

Children’s Hospital Boston

Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School

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Fall Newsletter

21. September 2009 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Here is the Fall Newsletter, in which we talk about upcoming events and encourage people to join us and volunteer. Fall newsletter HLA/CC

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Volunteers Needed–only a few hours of your time gets our name out!

14. September 2009 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

HLACC will have a table at The Cape Cod Health & Wellness Expo will be held Friday & Saturday, October 9-10, 2009 at The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. Spend a few hours talking to people about our wonderful group, then go browse all the wonderful exhibits. Contact Betty at 508-432-3948 or email betty AT hearinglosscapecod.org

This event is designed to encourage healthy lifestyle choices by raising awareness of the steps you can take to lower risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, accidents & injury, joint replacement and other health issues. Get information from some of Cape Cod’s leading health professionals.

Highlights include:
- Health Tests and Screenings
- Health and Wellness Workshops and Demonstrations
- Celebrity Appearances
- Family Activities
- Important Health Information

Doors will be open from 11 am to 7 pm on Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Admission is free! The Expo is presented by The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Cape Cod Healthcare, Cape Cod Times Media Group and Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings Bank.

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Looking for a few good people to join the Board.

12. September 2009 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Make friends and get satisfaction for a job well done. We are looking for a Board Secretary to take minutes of the meetings, a social committee chair and members, and publicity committee chair and members. No experience necessary, just a willingness to help our group be the best it can be.

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Upcoming Events–we are no longer meeting monthly!

12. September 2009 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Here’s our upcoming schedule, as a result of the Board meeting this week. The cost of CART was one reason we changed our montly meeting format to a seasonal one. Upcoming, October meeting this Fall, one in the Winter, and 2 in the Spring, or whatever we have in March and may. and 2 social events. All meetings will have CART, real time translation typed on a screen. We are moving the meeting time to 2 pm for our 2010 meetings to try remote CART as an experiment. Times may change in the future, so watch this space.

Saturday, October 24 9:30 am. MCDHH Commissioner Heidi Reed Dennis Public Library, Dennisport

December 12 Holiday Luncheon and Fun

Jan 23 Lip reading sign language, other assistive techniques. 2 pm at the Dennis Public Library, Dennisport

March 27 David Roellke, of the Cape Cod Hearing Center in Hyannis. 2 pm, Dennis Public Library, Dennisport

May 22 2010, Bob Prescott of the Wellfleet Bay Audubon Society, with slide show. 2 pm Dennis Public Library, Dennisport

June 12, 2010 spring luncheon or social activity. raffles, etc.