[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Johnson):
  S. 1647. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to 
provide for direct access to audiologists for medicare beneficiaries, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation which 
would give Medicare recipients the same hearing care options available 
to veterans and Senators. Specifically, it would give Medicare 
beneficiaries direct access to qualified, licensed audiologists. I am 
pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleague, Senator Tim 
Johnson.
  Today, approximately 28 million Americans are hearing disabled. Many 
of them are older Americans--a statistic that is fast increasing with 
the aging of the ``baby boomers.'' With 80 to 90 percent of hearing 
problems not medically or surgically treatable, it seems only 
reasonable that Medicare patients be allowed to consult with an 
audiologist without first seeing another provider. It is part of 
regular audiological practice to refer patients for medical management 
when clinical indicators are present.
  In the 1990's, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Office 
of Personnel Management changed their respective healthcare policies to 
allow for the option of direct access to a licensed audiologist. 
Earlier this year, I wrote the VA asking if veterans were satisfied 
with that coverage for audiological services. According to the VA 
response, ``The policy has provided and continues to provide high 
quality, cost effective, and successful hearing health care to 
veterans.'' It is important to point out that this bill would not 
diminish the important role of medical doctors, or expand the scope of 
practice for audiology.
  This legislation is consumer friendly. It will help our elderly and 
rural citizens who often find it difficult to access health care 
services. It will provide consistency of policy among Government 
agencies. That is why I urge my colleagues to act quickly on this 
legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1647

       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 ``Hearing Health Accessibility 
     Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. DIRECT ACCESS TO QUALIFIED AUDIOLOGISTS FOR MEDICARE 
                   BENEFICIARIES.

       Section 1861(ll)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(ll)(2)) is amended by inserting before the period at 
     the end the following: ``, without regard to any requirement 
     that the individual receiving the audiology services be under 
     the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care 
     practitioner or that such services are provided under the 
     supervision of a physician or other health care 
     practitioner''.

     SEC. 3. INCLUSION OF AUDIOLOGY SERVICES AS A PART B MEDICAL 
                   SERVICE; PAYMENT.

       (a) In General.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (U), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (V)(iii), by inserting ``and'' after 
     the semicolon at the end; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(W) audiology services (as defined in subsection 
     (ll)(2));''.
       (b) Payment Under the Physician Fee Schedule.--Section 
     1848(j)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3)) is amended 
     by inserting ``(2)(W),'' after ``(2)(S),''.

     SEC. 4. CONSTRUCTION; EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
     to expand the scope of audiology services for which payment 
     may be made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act as 
     of December 31, 2003.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall 
     take effect with respect to services furnished on or after 
     January 1, 2004.

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I am happy to join my colleague, 
Senator Campbell, in introducing legislation that will provide millions 
of seniors with direct access to important audiology services through 
the Medicare Program.
  Approximately 28 million people in the U.S. have some degree of 
reduced hearing sensitivity, and of this number, 80 percent have 
irreversible hearing loss. The majority of these individuals are 65 and 
older, and as the baby boom generation ages, this number will 
skyrocket. Hearing loss is the 3rd most prevalent chronic condition in 
the older population. One in three people older than 60 and half of 
those older than 85 have a hearing loss problem and only about one-
fourth of those who could benefit from a hearing aid actually use one.
  Hearing problems can make it difficult to understand and follow a 
doctor's advice, respond to warnings, and to hear doorbells and alarms. 
They can also take away from the enjoyment of the simple things in 
life, like talking to friends and family, or listening to the radio or 
television. Additionally, the 21st century work environment requires 
intense use of communication and information skills and technologies. 
As seniors continue to remain in the workforce for longer periods, 
work-related hearing challenges will become increasingly evident and 
the individual who has a communication disability, disorder, or 
difference will be at a distinct disadvantage.
  This legislation will help seniors challenged by hearing problems 
obtain direct access to licensed audiologists through the Medicare 
Program. Because most of these hearing conditions are not medically or 
surgically treatable, direct access to audiology services will allow 
comprehensive and timely care through the diagnosis, treatment, and 
management of hearing loss. Audiologists can conduct a variety of 
specialized auditory assessments and based on such examinations, can 
present numerous options to help patients cope with hearing problems. 
This legislation will not diminish the important role of primary care 
physicians, who closely with audiologists and will remain intimately 
involved in patient care as needed under this bill.
  Direct access to such audiology services is supported by numerous 
governmental agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
has recognized the importance of this issue by making access by persons 
with hearing impairments to rehabilitative services a Health People 
2010 objective. Additionally, the Veteran's Administration and Office 
of Personnel Management have established policies to allow 
beneficiaries such access. Seniors under the Medicare Program deserve 
similar benefits, and I urge my colleagues to support this important 
bill.
                                 ______