HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 140
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Ferns,
Manypenny, Poore, Wells, Guthrie and Skaff)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study strategies for ensuring that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to necessary and appropriate hearing aid devices and accessories.
Whereas, Hearing loss impacts the most basic of humans needs, which is the ability to communicate with other human beings; and
Whereas, There are currently more than one hundred thousand West Virginians of all ages who suffer from hearing loss; and
Whereas, The cost of one hearing aid ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 and the average cost is $2,500; and
Whereas, Most insurance programs provide minimal reimbursement toward the cost of hearing aids; and
Whereas, Most hearing aid assistance plans are available only to families with very low household income; and
Whereas, Several entities in the state serve individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, and would serve as excellent resources to the Legislature in examining the needs of these individuals; and
Whereas, Such entities include, but are not limited to, West Virginia Centers for Independent Living, the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, the West Virginia Board of Hearing Aid Dealer and Fitters, the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, AARP West Virginia, the West Virginia Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the West Virginia Association for the Deaf, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Department of Health and Human Resources, the West Virginia Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association, Lions Clubs and Quota Clubs; and
Whereas, Citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing will be well served if the Legislature examines the gaps in assistance for individuals requiring hearing aids; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to work with the above-named entities to study strategies
for ensuring that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have
access to necessary and appropriate hearing aid devices and
accessories; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance is requested to report to the regular session of the
Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary
to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation are requested to be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.