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Dear Friends,
The last week of September is National Deaf Awareness Week. One of its purposes, according to the National Association of the Deaf, is to create more awareness of the assistive devices used by 4.5 million of the 34 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing. The most frequently-used devices are hearing aids, amplified telephones and closed-caption television. I strongly believe that those who need these devices should have them. That is why I have sponsored Assembly Bill 368 to make it easier for working families to buy hearing aids for their children.
Currently, many working families have health insurance plans that do not offer hearing aid coverage. My bill would require private health insurers to offer coverage of up to $1,000 toward a hearing aid every four years for a child 18 years and under. Under my proposed legislation, Californians who opt for the coverage pay a very small increase in monthly premiums while those who don't need the devices pay no more on their premiums. About 109,000 children statewide would benefit from my bill.
It is crucial that all children be given the equal opportunity to learn in school and develop socially. I urge you to contact Governor Schwarzenegger to sign Assembly Bill 368 into law. You can e-mail, phone or write the Governor at Office of the Governor, State Capitol Sacramento, California 95814, www.govmail.ca.gov or 1-916-445-2841, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., excluding holidays. I hope to count on your support for my bill.
Sincerely,
Wilmer Amina Carter,
Assemblymember, District 62
Visit Assemblymember Carter online
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