Being a parent has its challenges. Being a parent who has to regularly fight health insurance companies is intimidating. But when Melissa’s second daughter was born, she was given the opportunity to make a difference in not only her daughter, Ally’s life, but so many others. Melissa was ready for the challenge — not to mention, über excited to create a bill named after her daughter, and hopes to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer with hearing loss. Ally was born with Microtia and Atresia (the absence of an ear canal).
After the initial shock of Ally’s diagnosis subsided, Melissa did some research and found Bone Anchored Hearing Aid would significantly benefit her daughter, and help with her communication delays that have resulted from unilateral hearing loss. Melissa has felt responsible in aiding others in similar shoes, which led to the opportunity to create a bill called, "Ally’s Act”.
People who suffer with hearing loss are too often overlooked and denied the right to hear because private insurers deny coverage for cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing systems. This can cost families anywhere from $5,000.00 to $12,000.00 and they need to be replaced on an average of every 5 years. If Ally’s Act becomes law, this bill would help hundreds of thousands of children and adults have access to life-changing treatment, allowing them to live a far better life. Melissa knows first-hand the struggles parents have to deal with when it comes to the nightmare of health insurance companies. FACES, parents, and many others are thankful for fighters like Melissa.
Melissa did all the leg work to get to this point, and she (& Ally) are the reason why Ally’s Act bill was introduced. The current status of the bill has support from Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) & Mike Thompson (CA-5), and Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) & Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), but we need more support.
Right now, there is a quiet campaign led by Ear Community that is focused entirely on pressuring our lawmakers to sign Ally’s Act. But we need you to make some noise as well. Call your lawmakers. Let’s get this bill into law!
When I tell people about this, the question you might ask is why is this bill so important? Hearing connects us to people easier.
FACES supports this bill, and we hope you will, too.
So what is Ally's Act and S. 1135?
Ally's Act, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135 are bipartisan/bicameral national level bills that were reintroduced on March 30th, 2023, ensuring that private insurance companies cover bone anchored hearing systems (BAHS) and cochlear implant systems (CI) for both children and adults from birth to age 64, including services, upgrades, surgery, and associated costs that come along with these hearing devices.
Ally's Act states, "This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain hearing devices and systems (e.g., bone-anchored auditory implants) and related items and services. The financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to such coverage may be no more restrictive than the requirements and limitations for other medical and surgical benefits covered under the plan. Further, a plan may not deny or limit coverage based on the plan's review of the medical necessity of such items or services."
How can you help get Ally's Act passed?
This important bill needs more co-sponsors, so please reach out to your representative to ask them to co-sponsor Ally’s Act!
