Reflections and what we learned in the WI Legislative effort
May 27, 2009
posted by Carol B - Cochlear Volunteer
It will be a week tomorrow since Governor Jim Doyle signed SB27/AB16. We are awaiting word on when it will actually become effective. We think on Dec. 1st this year or Jan. 1st 2010.
The attention this received in the media resulted in some very interesting protests from the Deaf Community - not just here in WI but all across the country. What amazed me most was the WONDERFUL support we received from parents who led by Melissa Chaikoff on CICircle and others from the Nucleus Forum took it upon themselves to write to Governor Doyle directly. THANKS from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who took time to write and who supported us at the 11th hour turn of events!
I should have had faith......because deep down in my heart of hearts I KNEW this bill is the right thing for Governor to do. He seemed deeply touched when he was presented with a Nautilus half shell - a cochlea symbol and where the other half of the shell is held by a lady who has a cochlear implant. I mentored her in her journey.
The story of how this bill came about will be shared in due time. Our efforts began during the last legislative session (08-09) and were defeated on the last day possible during the session last spring, not without some political jockeying and end runs. In Dec. 08 the advocates met again with key supporters in the legislature and discussed how we could make last year's bill better. What was introduced this session (my own favorite lawmaker was a sponsor) was a much improved bill and we even managed to raise the age from 11 to age 18! I am especially glad we solidified the language for cochlear implants and ALL implantable devices and services this time around. Last year a compromise struck included language that if a parent received a CI benefit and left the insurance group within one year of the surgery, they would be required to repay the costs of the implant! I hated that compromise for obvious reasons!
We thought some Deaf activists would be at the signing, but fortunately they saw the writing on the wall and did not appear.
I will add more as my thoughts come back to earth. There is still alot of "stuff" happening around this historic happening!
