Wisconsin Legislature OKs bill on payment for children's hearing devices

Health insurers would be required to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for hearing-impaired children under a bill that passed both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature. The measure cleared the Assembly 80-16, while the Senate approved it on a voice vote; both houses have Democratic majorities. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who is expected to sign it. About 200 children are born with permanent hearing loss in Wisconsin each year, according to backers of the bill.