[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 27 (Friday, February 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE ``ACCESS TO HEARING HEALTHCARE ACT OF 2014''

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 14, 2014

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Access to 
Hearing Healthcare Act of 2014. This important legislation will allow 
Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified 
audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. Medicare 
presently requires that beneficiaries with hearing loss or balance 
disorders obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist.
  This referral requirement differs from other federal health agencies, 
including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Office of 
Personnel Management, which allow patients to directly access 
audiologists. Hearing impairment is one of the most common conditions 
affecting older Americans, with approximately 33 percent of adults aged 
60 and over and 40-50 percent of those aged 75 and over with hearing 
loss. Hearing loss among senior citizens, if left untreated, can result 
in isolation and depression.
  We need to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can obtain audiology 
services in a timely manner. 1 ask that my colleagues support this 
important legislation.

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