In addition to lowered prescription drug prices, the Build Back Better legislation also contains a provision that would expand Medicare coverage for hearing aids and services. Originally, it also had provisions to provide dental and vision coverage but those were removed in an attempt to lower the overall cost of the bill and gain the support of both Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).
Nonetheless, Manchin continued to object to adding even the hearing benefit to Medicare because of concerns about the programs cash flow.
TSCL supports both the provision to lower prescription drug prices and the
hearing provision. We will be urging Congress to pass both, whether in a revised Build Back Better bill or as part of other legislation next year.
