Just received this from our State HLAA President, Brenda Arndt. It appears that we have at least one Representative that has decided to back up the Insurance Lobbyists on this bill that will possibly be introduced on the Assembly Floor today. What will they think of next? If you are in favor of this bill being passed, please feel free to contact your Representatives and voice your opinions today. For those of you living in Representative Ziegelbauers' district, feel free to contact him and let him know that you are extremely surprised at his actions on taking away our children's' rights to hear.
Have a great week!
From: Alicia Boehme [mailto:aliciasidman@mac.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 10:59 PM
To: letkidshear@googlegroups.com
Subject: BAD AMENDMENT TO BE INTRODUCED ON THE FLOOR - TAKE ACTION
Importance: High
ACTION ALERT
We need your help ASAP regarding an amendment that may be introduced in the Assembly floor on Thursday by
Representative Ziegelbauer from Manitowoc.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD WEAKEN THE BILL AND WOULD PUT AN UNNECESSARY BURDEN ON FAMILIES.
SO, WHAT IS THE AMENDMENT ABOUT?
The amendment is not out yet, so I do not have any specifics, but Representative Ziegelbauer plans to introduce an amendment on the Assembly floor on Thursday that would require families to pay back the cost of hearing aids or cochlear implants and related services if they chose to leave their insurance plan before a years time. So, if a family carried a health insurance plan for less than one year, they could be made to pay back the costs associated with the hearing intervention.
Why is this a bad idea?
1) There is no other health condition that requires that a person pay back the cost of treatment if they chose to drop their insurance. This is unheard of and is a terrible precedence. Again, it is treating children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families in a discriminatory way, which is exactly what we are trying to get away from!
2) It restricts families from advancing in their work and life. So, if someone were offered a job that paid more or advanced their career, they would be forced to decide to pay back a lot of money to the insurance company, or forgo the opportunity to advance.
3) Representative Ziegelbauer and other Representatives who are for this amendment are concerned that families will choose to get insurance only to pay for hearing aids or cochlear implants and then once received will drop coverage causing a hardship for insurance companies. First, there is absolutely no evidence that this would occur; it is merely speculation. Second, the incentive for families is to keep insurance, not drop it. If a child receives a hearing aid and in particular a cochlear implant, there are follow-up appointments and adjustments that would keep families from wanting to discontinue treatment. Therefore, families are much more likely to keep coverage.
TAKE ACTION NOW
If you are in Bob Zeigelbauer’s District, please call him ASAP and ask him NOT to introduce this amendment and why. His district includes the city of Manitowoc and the Villages of Cleveland, Reedsville, St. Nazianz, Valders, and Whitelaw.
He can be reached at:
Madison office phone: (608) 266-0315 Or (888) 529-0025
District Phone number: (920) 684-6783
Email Address: Rep.Ziegelbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov
Tell his staff your concerns, but also ask to speak to him directly. He does have a cell phone number, which you can ask for from his staff. If no one answers in his office, leave a message, but keep trying back to speak to someone directly.
If you are NOT a voter in Representative Ziegelbauer’s district, contact your Assembly Representative to tell them that an amendment may be introduced and why you want them to vote against the amendment! If you do not know your Assembly Representative, click here: http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
OK, the more phone calls and emails and contacts we can make informing Assembly Representatives how we feel, the better! Pass this email far and wide as quickly as you can and place the calls ASAP.
Thanks!!