“Grace’s Law” Passes Senate Commerce Committee

TRENTON – Noting that health insurers have a responsibility to provide coverage for necessary health care expenses, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today signed legislation which will require all State-regulated health insurers to cover the cost of medically-necessary hearing aids for children 15 years old and younger.

“With today’s bill signing, we are making sure that the gift of hearing is not out-of-reach for New Jersey children living with hearing loss,” said Acting Governor Codey. “No child should be without access to medically-necessary hearing aids, which are especially critical in the formative years when kids develop the skills to speak and communicate. This new law is about guaranteeing children a level playing field to succeed, and build the skills they need to do well in life.”

TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would mandate health care providers to cover hearing aids for people 15 years old and younger.

“Partial hearing loss is the number one birth defect in the U.S. today, and if not treated at an early age, can slow down a child’s development speech, language and cognitive abilities,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex and Chair of the Committee. “A thousand dollar hearing aid purchased today can help to avoid costly special education services later on in life, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars down the road. From a medical, financial and humanitarian perspective, providing a hearing aid is a no-brainer.”

(TRENTON) – With hundreds of thousands of New Jersey households – including numerous constituents – still without power after Superstorm Sandy, Senator Shirley K. Turner today said it is past time to require power companies to file comprehensive emergency response plans with state officials to ensure the timely restoration of power.

Turner drafted the legislation in 2011 after Tropical Storm Irene left countless homes dark for days, exposing the weakness that utility companies were not equipped to handle extensive outages in the aftermath of such a destructive storm.

“For too many of our residents, their experiences after Hurricane Sandy is déjà vu,” said Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “If we had learned our lesson from last year, this year’s work to restore power would be organized and orderly with clear-cut deadlines and benchmarks, not another disjointed scramble. Ten days or more without power is too much to ask of our residents, especially senior citizens, disabled residents, and families with children. We need sound emergency plans in place to prevent these extensive outages in the future.”

TRENTON � A measure sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Fred H. Madden, which would require health care providers to cover the cost of hearing aids for children age 15 and younger was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

�When left undiagnosed and untreated in children, hearing loss can impede the development of speech, language and cognitive development,� said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. �These developmental delays can cause a need for costly special education services later on in life. By calling upon health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for kids, we are renewing our commitment to the growth and educational success of New Jersey�s children.�

TRENTON –Legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono to mandate health care providers cover hearing aids for people 15 years old and younger will be signed into law by Governor Richard J. Codey on Tuesday, December 30th at 11:30 at the Governor’s Outer Office.

“Children should not be forced to due without hearing aids because the costs are too high to pay out of pocket and insurance companies refuse to cover the expense,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “By requiring insures to cover the expenses, we can reduce the long-term costs of care for our children, and help improve their quality of life.”