Bill to expand Medicaid coverage for hearing aids moves forward as advocates visit Missouri Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

People from all over the state gathered Wednesday to advocate for better accommodations for those with disabilities, including hearing aid coverage for low-income Missourians.

Missouri is one of only 13 states that had not expanded Medicaid coverage for hearing loss as of January, according to the Center for Hearing & Speech. Wednesday afternoon, those most affected by this gap in coverage went directly to lawmakers to advocate for a change.

Susan Parker, president of People First Missouri, just got her hearing aids this year after realizing how bad her hearing loss was but Medicaid can't help her pay for the expensive tests and aids. In Missouri, Medicaid only covers hearing aids and cochlear implants for people 21 and younger.

"We deserve to hear everything in the world has to offer," Parker said. "I didn't know. I've been to the Capitol for 17 years in a row. This year was the first time that I ever heard a buzzer that sounded like a fire alarm. I screamed 'Help' because I thought the Capitol was on fire. It was not, it was a time for people to go vote."

House Bill 2626, which would have Medicaid cover hearing aids and cochlear implants, passed out of the Missouri House of Representatives on Tuesday and now heads to the Missouri Senate.

Cathy Brown is the executive director of the Center for Hearing & Speech, where Parker got hearing aids at a low cost despite the lack of Medicaid coverage.

"Currently, only some categories of Medicaid beneficiaries have hearing aid benefits under the current Missouri Medicaid program. And we're seeking to support legislation that covers all Medicaid beneficiaries for hearing health care, including hearing aids and cochlear implants," Brown said.