By Bob Katzen

6,403 BILLS FILED FOR CONSIDERATION IN 2023-2024 SESSION – Legislators filed 6,403 pieces of legislation by the January 20 deadline. The 159 House members filed 4,050 while the 40 senators filed 2,353. Here are some of the 6,403:

HEARING AIDS (HD 3777) – Would require all health care plans to provide hearing aid coverage of up to $500 per hearing aid and then 80 percent coverage of the next $1,500 for each hearing aid.

“This legislation was first brought to my attention by a senior citizen in my district who cannot afford his hearing aids,” said co-sponsor Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere).

“This bill will go a long way to improving the quality of life for people of the commonwealth,” said co-sponsor Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington). “It builds on top of a law that was passed allowing children up to the age of 21 to receive hearing aids. This current bill would expand that coverage to every person.”