Hearing Aid Bill–New Sponsors and Letter Writing Campaign

Senate Bill 68 is gathering steam!  Senators Martin Sandoval and Dan Cronin have become the newest co-sponsors for the Hearing Aid Bill in Illinois. 

Julie Chavez, Deaf Services Coordinator at Dupage Center for Independent Living would like to announce another letter writing campaign at her office:

SB68 is a bill to mandate insurance coverage for hearing aids for people for ALL ages!  12 other states have insurance coverage but it is only for ages 0-18. Let our State of Illinois to become the first state to have mandated insurance coverage for hearing aids of all makes for ALL AGES! 

 

So my questions for all of you are:  are you tired of paying out of pocket for hearing aids?  Are you tired of being told that hearing aids are for cosmetic purposes?  Do you find the age limit of 0-18 a discrimination for ages 19 and above? 

 

Hello!! We want equal access to healthcare for our precious ears!!

 

So folks- our office, DuPage Center for Independent Living at 739 E. Roosevelt Road, Building 8–suite 109,  is open on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Bring your friends, family and kids so we can create a very LOUD buzz in Springfield!! 

How are we going to create a buzz in Springfield?? A LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN- CALLING OUR SENATORS!!  So please, I encourage all of you to make time to come on out and write a letter and/or call our Senators!!  We need to put forth GRASSROOT efforts into this.  I have faith that TOGETHER we can stand united and make our selves heard!!  If you plan on coming out- please do let me know by Friday before 4:30 pm.  (630) 469-2300 Voice and TTY

(630) 469-2492 TTY

(630) 469-2605 Direct VP

(630) 469-2606 Fax

julie_dupagecil@sbcglobal.net

 

I held a letter writing campaign at our center last Wednesday evening and there were individuals who are deaf but do not wear hearing aids that asked, “Why should they write a letter if they don’t need to wear hearing aids?”  My response to them was:  Do you have friends that wear hearing aids?  If so, write a letter to show your support for them.  They never thought of it that way.  If it’s not for yourselves- write or call in support of a family member or friend that do wear hearing aids!

Here’s the contact information for the Senators:Senator Ira Silverstein (Bill sponsor)   isilverstein@senatedem.ilga.gov  217-782-5500

Senator Jacqueline Collins (Bill co-sponsor) :   senatorcollins@sbcglobal.net  217-782-1607

Senator Dan Cronin (Bill co-sponsor):   630-792-0040

Senator Martin Sandoval (Bill co-sponsor):  (708) 656-2002

Senator William Haine:  whaine@senatedem.ilga.gov  217-782-5247

Senator Duffy:   dan@senatorduffy.com  217-782-8010
Senator Forby:   gforby@senatedem.ilga.gov  217-782-5509
Senator Hendon:    ihammons@senatedem.ilga.gov 217-782-6252
Senator Burzynski:  senatorbrad@verizon.net 217-782-1977
Senator Munoz:   amunoz@senatedem.ilga.gov  217-782-9415
Senator Syverson:  info@senatordavesyverson.com  217-782-5413
Senator Hayes:   jhayes@sentedem.ilga.gov

We are so close to making history but it will take some effort from you.  Contact your Senator, contact the ones on this list and tell them:

“Please pass SB 68 which would provide hearing aid insurance coverage for Illinois residents of all ages.”

 

Chicago Moms Blog:  The Time Is Now for Hearing Aid Coverage