Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN

District 19 (Middlesex)

Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

Memorializes Congress to provide Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As reported by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on June 1, 2015, with amendments.

An Assembly Resolution memorializing Congress to provide Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

Whereas, A large portion of the population in the United States wears eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids; with the aging of the population, a growing number of older Americans are likely to have greater health care needs, and, in particular, will need to purchase eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dentures; and

Whereas, Despite the availability of Medicare and Medicaid, many older Americans still are unable to meet their health care needs for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures; and

Whereas, As people age, eyesight diminishes and the loss of focusing ability that accompanies aging makes it difficult to read; nearly 100% of the population 55 years of age or older is affected by this condition, known as presbyopia, which can be remedied by wearing reading eyeglasses or eyeglasses with bifocal lenses; and

Whereas, Approximately 42% of the elderly Medicare population have moderate or profound hearing loss and the ¹[average]¹ price of a hearing aid ¹[is $800, with prices ranging from about $500 to $5,000] , which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a single device, steadily increases every year¹; and

Whereas, Most senior citizens of this country suffer from periodontitis, the inflammation of the gums and bones supporting the teeth, and many have lost their teeth and need to repair, or be fitted with, dentures; and

Whereas, Medicare coverage does not cover the cost of eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dentures; and

Whereas, Senior citizens confront increasing medical, hospital, and other health care-related expenses and often have to meet these costs on a fixed income; and

Whereas, Coverage of the cost of eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures would provide access to eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures for elderly Americans and help improve their quality of life, restore their dignity, and alleviate the financial burden many senior citizens face when they need assistive devices to remain vibrant members of their community; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to provide Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

2. ¹[Duly authenticated copies] Copies¹ of this resolution, ¹[signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested] as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted¹ by the Clerk of the General Assembly ¹[, shall be transmitted]¹ to the presiding officers of the Congress of the United States and each of the members of the United States Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.