[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1653 Introduced in House (IH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1653

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion 
 of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and examinations therefor, and 
                          for other purposes.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2015

 Mrs. Dingell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 
   Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion 
 of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and examinations therefor, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 
2015''.

SEC. 2. REMOVING MEDICARE EXCLUSION OF COVERAGE OF HEARING AIDS AND 
              EXAMINATIONS THEREFOR.

    (a) In General.--Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7)) is amended by striking ``hearing aids or 
examinations therefor,''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2016.

SEC. 3. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON HEARING AID PROGRAMS.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of programs, including Federal programs and health 
insurance coverage, that provide assistance for hearing aids and 
related examinations for individuals with hearing loss. Such study 
shall include an examination of the number of individuals in the United 
States with hearing loss who need hearing aids, their coverage under 
such programs, and the effectiveness of such programs in meeting such 
need. Such study may also address programs that are designed to reduce 
or mitigate the incidence of hearing loss.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date specified in 
section 2(c), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress 
on the study conducted under subsection (a). Such report shall include 
such recommendations on changes in such programs, including the 
establishment of new programs, as would meet the needs of individuals 
with hearing loss.
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