I’m writing today as your constituent to urge you to please become a co-sponsor of Ally’s Act (H.R. 2439/S. 1135). Ally's Act ensures that private insurance companies provide coverage for Osseo integrated hearing devices (OIDs), including Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) and Cochlear Implants (CI), for children and adults birth to age 64, including services, upgrades, surgery and associated costs that come along with these devices. This bipartisan/bicameral bill was first introduced and sponsored by Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), and re-introduced on March 30, 2023.

Over 350,000 children and adults are often overlooked and denied the right to hear because private insurers deny coverage for cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing systems, even when they are medically necessary. This can cost families anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000 and they need to be replaced on average of every 5 years. If Ally’s Act becomes the law, this bill would help hundreds of thousands of children and adults have access to life changing treatment, allowing them to live the lives they dream, participate in the workplace and community, and enjoy a high quality of life.

These hearing devices give people their lives back. They are often the only kind of hearing devices individuals can wear due to missing ears, no ear canals, sensorineural hearing loss, losing hearing to a tumor, head trauma, congenital hearing loss or drug ototoxicity from treating medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing systems allow children and adults access to life changing treatment, so they can thrive in the community, participate in the workplace, and enjoy a high quality of life. Ally's Act would cost private insurers less than .27 cents per person/per year to cover the services under this bill.

If you have additional questions about this piece of legislation or are interested in co-sponsoring Ally's Act, please contact Ryan.Shuman2@mail.house.gov in Rep. Neguse’s office or hannah_thompson@capito.senate.gov in Sen. Capito’s office.