Gov. Bruce Rauner calls him "one of the youngest, most effective lobbyists" in Illinois.
Hunter Martin's two-year lobbying effort ended this week when the Republican governor signed a law requiring insurance companies to pay for replacement hearing aids every three years for children under 18.
The Springfield State Journal-Register reports that the 10-year-old Hunter lost one of his hearing aids at school. The Illiopolis boy waited two exhausting weeks for a replacement. His mother Ramona says he struggled so hard to hear in class he often took after-school naps.
Hunter began testifying before legislative committees to require insurance coverage of replacements of hearing aids, which can cost up to $4,000.
He calls his advocacy before the General Assembly "a wild ride to go through."
The bill was HB4516.
