ST EMP INS COVER HEARING AIDS House SponsorsRep. Kevin A. McCarthy-Lou Lang Senate Sponsors(Sen. Larry K. Bomke-M. Maggie Crotty and Todd Sieben) 1/11/2005HouseSession Sine Die 5 ILCS 375/6from Ch. 127, par. 526 Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that the program of health benefits must include coverage for hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids. Effective July 1, 2003.Fiscal Note (Department of Central Management Services) HB 2531 would require the State of Illinois' Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP) to include coverage for hearing aids. The state would realize an additional $5.6 million in costs with passage of this bill. In addition, if extended to members of the managed care plans, according to our managed care vendors, this change in the benefit plan would increase the cost to the state by approximately $5.2 million. The total increase in costs for adding hearing aid coverage to the state's health plans would be $10.8 million.House Amendment No. 1 Provides that coverage for hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids may, rather than must, be included in the program of health benefits. 2/20/2003HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Julie Hamos 2/20/2003HouseFirst Reading 2/20/2003HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/26/2003HouseAssigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee 2/27/2003HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lou Lang 3/3/2003HouseFiscal Note Filed 3/11/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/12/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Health Care Availability and Access Committee; by Voice Vote 3/12/2003HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Health Care Availability and Access Committee; 020-000-000 3/12/2003HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 4/1/2003HouseChief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Kevin A. McCarthy 4/1/2003HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/1/2003HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/2/2003HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-001-004 4/2/2003SenateArrive in Senate 4/2/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 3, 2003 4/8/2003SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Larry K. Bomke 4/10/2003SenateFirst Reading 4/10/2003SenateReferred to Rules 4/10/2003SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. M. Maggie Crotty 4/10/2003SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Todd Sieben 1/11/2005HouseSession Sine Die