[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DENTAL AND VISION BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, visual health and oral health are 
integral to our general health. Eye and oral diseases are progressive 
and become more complex over time. Our ability to eat, see, read, 
learn, and communicate all depend on good visual and oral health.
  Periodic eye and dental examinations are an important part of routine 
preventive health care. Many visual and oral conditions present no 
obvious symptoms. Therefore, individuals are often unaware that 
problems exist.
  There are safe and effective measures to prevent the most common eye 
and dental diseases. That is why early diagnosis and treatment are 
important for maintaining good visual and oral health and why a vision 
and dental benefit should be made available to federal employees and 
annuitants.
  We know that in 1987 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stopped 
plans in the Federal Health Benefits program from adding new vision and 
dental packages. OPM did so for various reasons. However, that decision 
was made over 15 years ago, and it is time to take a fresh look at how 
we can meet the visual and oral health needs of federal employees.
  In the long run, preventive care, through periodic examinations and 
doctor visits, will help keep down long term vision and dental costs 
due to early detection.
  Therefore, I am extremely pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 
5295, which permits OPM to contract with qualified companies to offer 
dental and vision benefits to federal employees and retirees under the 
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
  I am also pleased that this bill includes a provision that requires 
OPM to study the feasibility of providing hearing benefits to federal 
employees and retirees. Currently, over 28 million Americans suffer 
hearing loss, half of whom are under the age of 50. Hearing loss is not 
just a problem affecting adults. Thirty-three children are born 
everyday with some form of hearing loss. With early detection and 
treatment, these children can be taught in regular classes, saving a 
school system as much as $500,000 during a 12-year education.
  I included similar language in H.R. 3751, which passed the House in 
June. Like vision and dental benefits, most insurance plans do not 
provide hearing benefits, such as coverage for hearing aids. I believe 
the Federal Government should consider taking a lead in this area.
  I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.

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