BILL NO. 26

(as introduced)

1st Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
62 Elizabeth II, 2013

Private Member's Bill

Affordable Hearing Aids for Seniors Act

The Honourable Maureen MacDonald
Halifax Needham

First Reading: December 9, 2013

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

This Bill provides for financial assistance for Nova Scotia residents who require a hearing aid for long-term hearing loss.

1 This Act may be cited as the Affordable Hearing Aids for Seniors Act.

(3) Subject to subsection (3A), the Governor in Council shall make regulations on or before March 31, 2014, respecting the MSI plan requiring the funding of 75% of the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum of

(a) $500 for one; and

(b) $1,000 for two,

every five years for residents of the Province who

(c) are over the age of 65 years;

(d) have

(i) an income of $18,000 or less, if single, or

(ii) a household income of $21,000 or less, if married; and

(e) have long-term hearing loss requiring the use of a hearing aid for a minimum of six months, which hearing loss has been confirmed by a provider.

(3A) The money required for the purpose of subsection (3) must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

3 (1) Subsection 71(3) of Chapter 44 of the Acts of 2012, the Insured Health Services Act, is amended by adding immediately after clause (c) the following clause:

(ca) subject to subsection (3A), requiring the funding of 75% of the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum of
(i) $500 for one, and

(ii) $1,000 for two,

every five years for residents of the Province who

(iii) are over the age of 65 years,

(iv) are insured persons,

(v) have

(A) an income of $18,000 or less, if single, or

(B) a household income of $21,000 or less, if married, and

(vi) have long-term hearing loss requiring the use of a hearing aid for a minimum of six months, which hearing loss has been confirmed by a designated service provider.

(2) Section 71 of Chapter 44 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (3) the following subsection:

(3A) The money required for the purpose of clause (3)(ca) must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.