Reps. Weinstein, Young Reintroduce Madeline's Law

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Bob Young (R-Green) recently reintroduced Madeline’s Law, which would require medical insurance to cover the cost of hearing aids for Ohioans ages 21 and younger.

Newborn hearing screening has become universal in hospitals across the United States, and children with hearing loss are being identified and treated at much younger ages. Unfortunately, this national trend towards identification and early intervention is being stifled in Ohio, where most insurance companies consider children’s hearing aids to be elective, “cosmetic devices.”

“I am excited to get this bipartisan bill passed. I believe it is wrong that Ohio insurers are not required to cover increasingly expensive hearing aids for kids,” said Rep. Weinstein. “Every Ohio child has the right to hear, and families need our support to make that a reality.”

“No young person should have to go without hearing aids due to a financial barrier,” said Rep. Young. “Having a hearing aid should not be considered cosmetic. It is an essential tool for a child’s development.”

If passed, Madeline’s Law would add Ohio to the list of 25 other states that already require insurance provide hearing aid coverage for children. Madeline’s Law was originally introduced in the 133rd General Assembly and named for Madeline Rohlin, whose parents approached Rep. Weinstein and explained their struggles affording hearing aids for their young daughter due to lack of insurance coverage. It was reintroduced in the 134th GA and passed out of the House Insurance Committee 15 to 2.

The bill has been numbered House Bill 152 and now awaits a committee assignment.