Dear Friend,

I am happy to announce that Americans are now able to purchase lower cost hearing aids over the counter at retailers across Maryland and the United States. For the first time ever, a prescription will not be needed to buy a hearing aid!

Hearings aids are now on store shelves across the country—for thousands of dollars less than they previously cost. An estimate by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that this is going to save patients as much as $3,000 per pair. This is welcome news for the 1.2 million Marylanders age 12 or older with hearing losses in one ear and 759,000 with losses in both ears.

Currently, only 14% of Americans who have hearing loss use hearing aids, many citing the exorbitantly high price as a reason for not getting a pair. This is unacceptable. I believe that quality, affordable health care is a right, not a privilege, and I am proud that Congress and President Biden were able to help everyday Americans take this major step in that direction.

I will continue to work towards affordable health care options for all Americans and promise to always put people’s health over politics.

Sincerely,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress