Memorializes Congress to provide Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

SR66

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 66

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

SYNOPSIS

���� Memorializes Congress to provide Medicare coverage
for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Senate
Resolution
memorializing Congress to provide Medicare coverage for
eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

Whereas,
A large portion of the
population in the United States wears eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids;
with the aging of the population, a growing number of older Americans are
likely to have greater health care needs, and, in particular, will need to
purchase eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dentures; and

Whereas,
Despite the availability of
Medicare and Medicaid, many older Americans still are unable to meet their
health care needs for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures; and

Whereas,
As people age, eyesight
diminishes and the loss of focusing ability that accompanies aging makes it
difficult to read; nearly 100 percent of the population 55 years of age or
older is affected by this condition, known as presbyopia, which can be remedied
by wearing reading eyeglasses or eyeglasses with bifocal lenses; and

Whereas,
Approximately 42 percent of
the elderly Medicare population have moderate or profound hearing loss and the
price of a hearing aid, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars
for a single device, steadily increases every year; and

Whereas,
Most senior citizens of
this country suffer from periodontitis, the inflammation of the gums and bones
supporting the teeth, and many have lost their teeth and need to repair, or be
fitted with, dentures; and�

Whereas,
Medicare coverage does not
cover the cost of eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dentures; and

Whereas,
Senior citizens confront
increasing medical, hospital, and other health care-related expenses and often
have to meet these costs on a fixed income; and

Whereas,
Coverage of the cost of
eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures would provide access to eyeglasses,
hearing aids, and dentures for elderly Americans and help improve their quality
of life, restore their dignity, and alleviate the financial burden many senior
citizens face when they need assistive devices to remain vibrant members of
their community; now, therefore,

����
Be It Resolved

by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey:

���� 1.��� This House respectfully
memorializes the United States Congress to enact legislation to provide
Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United
States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of
Representatives, and every member of the United States Congress elected from
this State.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution respectfully
memorializes the United States Congress to enact legislation to provide
Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures.