Hard of Hearing and Hospice Scores Wins In The Capitol

Michael Shane Smith Photography for AARP Wyoming<br>

Senator Bill Landen, who sponsored a bill to increase reimbursement rates to the state's hospice centers during the 2024 Legislative Session.

While in-fighting among Senate members, Republican members, and others got the headlines in the 2024 Legislative Session, there were two bills that offered proof of humanity. Senate File 57 was a bill brought by Laramie Senator Dan Furphy, and puts a small state appropriation aside to pay for approximately 30 sets of hearing aids for profoundly deaf adults who have financial need.

Given the relatively low appropriation, this program will be limited in scope and not be able to provide many sets of hearing aids to Wyoming citizens. Those who are eligible will be adults under 200% of federal poverty level who are not eligible to receive hearing aids through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or another third-party payor.

"It felt good to see several of the state's deaf community members show up at the Governor's Bill signing, and it got very emotional," says Furphy. "They had tears in their eyes. It made my wife tear up because they said thank you so much for helping us. This is the first step in the process. I'm pleased we could help them at least this much with that bill."

Senate File 57 appropriates $99,000 in state general funds to provide eligible Wyoming adults who have been diagnosed by a physician or audiologist with a profound hearing impairment that requires hearing aids, a set of hearing aids every five years. The recipients of the state-funded hearing aids are limited to those who have a modified adjusted gross family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Furphy says the idea came from a meeting he was invited to by deaf constituents in Albany County two years ago. The ask was simply, 'can you help us?' Furphy says a meeting with the Governor led to Governor Gordon's direction for his Senior Health Care Policy Director Jennifer Davis to see what could be done. Furphy says the work isn't done, pointing out Wyoming is the only state in the country without a commission for the deaf. However, he does see progress, pointing out the Department of Workforce Services will be helping with deaf and hard of hearing services. He also sees the need for more American Sign Language interpreters in the state.

"We need more interpreters across the state," Furphy says. "If you are a deaf person or even a deaf couple, something as simple as going to the doctor's office and communicating what is wrong without an interpreter is a big problem. We also need more highly skilled interpreters in the school districts to help with those students as well."

One of the quieter bills to work through the 2024 Wyoming Legislative Session could be one of the more impactful for older adults. Senate File 69, sponsored by Senator Bill Landen of Casper, increased the Medicaid reimbursement for the state's hospice centers. Hospice centers will now receive 100% of the statewide average Medicaid nursing home room and board rate. Previous to Senate File 69, hospice centers only received 50% of the nursing home room and board rate.

"I was proud to bring that bill," Landen says. "It is the right thing for the state to stand by these Hospice care facilities and provide appropriate reimbursement. I was grateful for the overwhelming support from my legislative colleagues."

There are five hospice centers in Wyoming after a center in Campbell County closed its doors recently. The hope of the bill is that higher reimbursement will make the state's five hospice centers more sustainable into the future. The bill holds an appropriation of $450,000 from the state's general fund and had little opposition, passing the Senate on a 25-6 vote and the House on a 43-19 final vote.