Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5561, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act, which is also co-led by my Energy and Commerce Committee colleague, Representative Matsui.

Hearing loss in children continues to be all too prevalent in the United States. According to recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, almost 15 percent of children ages six to 19 experience either low or high-frequency hearing loss in one or both ears.

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program, administered through CDC and the Health Resources and Services Agency, has helped providers to quickly identify babies and young children who are born deaf or hard of hearing, which has led to improved health outcomes and brought hope to so many families.

H.R. 5561 reauthorizes Federal support for these important statewide programs that promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of deaf and hearing impaired newborns, infants, and young children through 2026.

My bill will redouble our efforts to truly open the world of communication to children experiencing hearing loss. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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