H.R. 3088: Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act

This bill, known as the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act, proposes to expand the services available to veterans through the Veterans Community Care Program. Specifically, it aims to include licensed hearing aid specialists as eligible providers for veterans seeking hearing health services.

Key Provisions

• The bill amends existing legislation (Title 38 of the United States Code) to allow licensed hearing aid specialists to furnish medical services to veterans.
• Currently, the Veterans Community Care Program has a limited list of eligible providers, and this addition aims to enhance access to hearing aid services for veterans.
• The changes will specifically insert a new provision to recognize hearing aid specialists licensed in the state where they practice as part of the network available to veterans.

Purpose

The primary goal of this legislation is to improve the availability and accessibility of hearing aid services to veterans, addressing a significant aspect of health care that affects many individuals who have served in the military. By allowing a wider range of qualified providers to serve veterans, the bill seeks to enhance their overall hearing health care experience.

Implementation

If passed, the bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its regulations and procedures to incorporate licensed hearing aid specialists into its community care framework. This may involve new partnerships or agreements with such specialists to ensure they can provide services to veterans as part of the program.

Impact on Veterans

Veterans would potentially benefit from greater choice in receiving hearing health services, reducing wait times and improving access to necessary care. The inclusion of hearing aid specialists could lead to an increase in the number of professionals available to help veterans with hearing issues, such as fitting hearing aids and providing audiological assessments.

Administrative Changes

The bill will necessitate administrative adjustments within the Department of Veterans Affairs as they work to integrate licensed hearing aid specialists into their veteran care programs. This could include training for VA staff on how to refer veterans to these newly included providers.

Relevant Companies

• HSIC - Henry Schein, Inc.: A supplier of health care products and services, including hearing aids; may see increased consumer engagement if veterans access more hearing services.
• GNW - Genworth Financial, Inc.: Primarily focused on insurance, but may be relevant as veterans seek comprehensive health policies that could include hearing aid coverage.