By Associated Press
Nashville, TN – The state House has approved a proposal that would require Tennessee insurance companies to include hearing aids for individuals up to 18 years of age in their policies. The measure sponsored by Republican Representative Richard Montgomery of Sevierville was approved 82-12 on Thursday. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Finance Committee. Under the proposal, the companies would be required to pay up to $1,000 per hearing aid every three years. Montgomery says "it's critical for a child's learning ability to be able to hear." Jim Brown is the Tennessee director for the National Federation of Independent Business. He says he's glad the bill's sponsors limited the size of the mandate, but his members oppose any kind of health care mandate.