Dear Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend time with loved ones. This week, I want to highlight a bill I’ve been working hard to advance—legislation that would make hearing aids more affordable for people across the Commonwealth.

For the past four sessions, I, along with my colleague Representative Joe Hohenstein, have been pushing to move HB 1670, which would require insurance companies to cover a portion of hearing aid costs. I’m encouraged to report that the bill is finally gaining some traction in the House. At the end of November, the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a hearing on the bill. This is a promising development because it makes public the official positions of various stakeholders and informs my colleagues on the committee about the importance of the issue. If HB 1670 becomes law, it would extend to the public the same hearing aid benefits currently available to state and federal employees. I’m grateful to my colleague, Rep. Hohenstein, for presenting my written remarks at the hearing when I was ill and unable to attend.

Hearing aids typically cost between $1,000 and $4,000, putting essential care out of reach for many people with hearing loss. Currently, in Pennsylvania, hearing aids are covered by Medicaid only for individuals under age 21. My bill would require insurers to cover at least $2,500 in out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids.

This bill is heavily supported by the medical community. Individuals with untreated hearing loss face a range of negative health and socioeconomic outcomes compared to those with normal hearing. They experience higher rates of unemployment, poorer overall physical health and well-being, and lower levels of physical activity. Research also shows that untreated hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of developing other chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, there is a well-established link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including a heightened risk of dementia. Addressing hearing loss through proper treatment can help reduce these risks—particularly for stroke, depression, and dementia—and significantly improve quality of life.

A recent article in JAMA highlights the benefit of addressing hearing loss, by illustrating the long-term benefit to addressing hearing loss in its early stages to reduce dementia risk. In a large self-report study of 2,953 participants, hearing aid use among those with hearing loss correlated with a 61% lower risk of developing dementia over up to 20 years as compared to those with untreated hearing loss, unrelated to their education level or other risk factors. The study also found that there was no significant association for participants over 70 between hearing-aid use and dementia.

Disappointingly, the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania came to the hearing to oppose the bill, arguing that it would raise insurance premiums. To date, most insurance providers have refused to engage in discussions with me about this legislation. Having them go on record stating that they would be open to at least discussing it was beneficial. I was disappointed by their position, but I believe that as the bill continues to move forward, they may begin to engage on the issue.

As Rep. Khan rightly noted, opposing this legislation effectively denies people the dignity of being able to hear, as well as the ability to access care and fully participate in our economy and society. Access to hearing aids is not a luxury. It is a necessity with profound economic and personal impacts.

Providing coverage for hearing loss is not only compassionate, but also cost-effective. About  15% of U.S. adults—roughly 44 million people—experience hearing loss, and an estimated 14.6 million people live with an untreated, disabling hearing loss. Extrapolation of a European study indicates that untreated hearing loss creates an annual economic burden of $133 billion in the U.S., or $9,100 per affected person. “Disabling hearing loss” is defined as a loss greater than 35 decibels in the better ear.

For Pennsylvania alone, untreated hearing loss is estimated to cost $5.9 billion every year due to lost productivity, increased healthcare needs, and related consequences. These figures underscore the substantial public health and economic benefits of expanding hearing aid coverage.

Neighboring states have passed similar legislation.  Maryland’s HB 1339, which was signed into law in 2024 and took effect on January 1, 2025, expanded hearing aid coverage to include adults under certain health insurance plans. While Maryland previously required hearing aid coverage for children, the legislation mandates that insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs provide up to $1,400 per hearing aid, per impaired ear, every 36 months for adults. Hearing aids must be prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist. If a patient chooses a hearing aid that exceeds the $1,400 coverage limit, they can pay the difference out-of-pocket without penalty to the provider. This law addresses a significant coverage gap and ensures that more Maryland residents can access necessary hearing healthcare. 

Many of you have reached out to share how the high cost of hearing aids affects your lives. Affordable access to essential medical devices should be available to everyone, especially older adults and those living on fixed incomes. HB 1670 moves us closer to that goal.

I will continue to keep you updated on the bill’s progress and its outcome when it comes to a committee vote. 

My office will be at the North Wales Area Library, on Tuesday, December 9, from 11:30 – 12:30. Free Notary services will be available at this mobile office.

Our office is proud to once again partner with Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. and the Prothonotary Noah Marlier's office for their annual Holiday Giving Drive. We will be accepting new toys, books, art supplies, and sporting goods for local children aged 0-18 who are healing from trauma.

Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 1098 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell until December 5th.

My office is proud to partner with the Whitpain Township Police Department and assist in collecting food for the annual Lt. Patty Simons Law Enforcement Food Drive. Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off at my office Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Best,

Pennsylvania State Capitol
121 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-4102

District Office

1098 West Skippack Pike

Blue Bell, PA 19422

(610) 277-3230