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Parents and advocates press state to add hearing aids to EHBs after committee hears access gaps
Summary
Multiple parents, advocacy groups and clinicians urged legislators to include hearing aids — particularly for children — in the 2027 EHB benchmark. Actuaries said hearing‑aid coverage is not currently in California’s benchmark and would increase allowed costs; CMS rules prohibit age‑limited benefits.
At a joint hearing on California’s essential health benefits benchmark, advocates, clinicians and parents urged the Legislature to add hearing‑aid coverage — especially for children — to the state benchmark plan.
Why it matters: Hearing aids are costly and, for children in critical language development periods, experts say lack of coverage can impair development and increase special‑education needs. If added to the EHB benchmark, hearing‑aid coverage would become a required benefit for plans in the individual and small‑group markets.
Evidence and estimates: Wakely actuary Matt Slaughter said…
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