Press Releases
Neal Statement on Ways and Means Passage of Legislation to Add Hearing, Dental, and Vision Coverage to Medicare
Washington, DC,
October 22, 2019
Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) issued the following statement after the committee passed H.R. 4650, the Medicare Dental Act of 2019, H.R. 4665, the Medicare Vision Act of 2019, and H.R. 4618, the Medicare Hearing Act of 2019: “In advancing these bills, our committee moves forward one of the biggest positive changes to Medicare in a generation. Adding dental, vision, and hearing coverage to the program will vastly improve seniors’ access to treatments they need. Decades of research tells us that when beneficiaries cannot afford these costs on their own, they forgo care, which leads to worse health outcomes. Helping seniors access glasses, hearing aids, or dental attention will save them money on the front end and prevent the trauma and expense of falls or other related health problems that could arise down the road as a result of inadequate services. Our committee’s action today brings us one step closer to lowering health costs and improving quality of life for older Americans.” H.R. 4650, as amended, passed by voice vote. H.R. 4665, as amended, passed by voice vote. H.R. 4618, as amended, passed by voice vote. ### |