Ne. Lawmakers look at health insurance (cover cochlear implants for profound hearing loss)

[Omaha Steve]

Guess who is against this. See the last paragraph.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110214/NEWS01/702149876/0#lawmakers-look-at-health-insurance

Published Monday February 14, 2011

LINCOLN (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are considering two bills to reduce gaps in health insurance coverage in the state.

One bill sponsored by State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilbur (LB223) would require health insurers to cover cochlear implants for people with profound hearing loss.

Karpisek said at a hearing on the bill Monday that the implants make a huge difference in people's lives, and several families who testified reinforced that message.

The bill drew support from the Nebraska Hospital Association. Lobbyist Bruce Rieker says the state's hospitals support the measure because its benefits seem to outweigh the possible increase in health insurance premiums.

But the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce opposed the measure because it is concerned about possible cost increases and the effect such a bill might have on the insurance market.