Today, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) became the 73rd member of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 3024, the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act. The bipartisan legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. Currently, Medicare requires that beneficiaries with hearing loss or balance disorders obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist. McDermott’s support is especially noteworthy given his seniority in the U.S. House of Representatives and his background as a physician.
The American Association of People with Disabilities, the National Association of the Deaf, The American Academy of Audiology and the Hearing Loss Association of America are among the organizations that enthusiastically endorse the bill.
To learn more about how you can help make a difference in supporting this bill visit the Academy’s Legislative Action Center.