UPDATED Thursday, May 21, 2009 --- 11:10 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin has become the second state to require insurance companies to cover cochlear implants for deaf children.

Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill into law today that requires private health insurance plans to pay for cochlear implants, hearing aids and related treatment for anyone under the age of 18. Lawmakers approved it last month.

Cochlear implants turn sound into electrical impulses that activate the hearing nerve, allowing the deaf to hear. Some insurers have not covered their cost, which can be $50,000.

Wisconsin's insurance commissioner estimates the law will cost the state's 1.6 million privately insured residents about 17 cents a month apiece.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says Kentucky passed a similar law in 1998.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Friday, April 24, 2009 --- 8:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Fort Atkinson family is among those who fought for a requirement that insurance companies cover cochlear implants for children with severe hearing problems.

The state Legislature yesterday approved a bill that requires private health insurance plans to cover the implants for children. Governor Doyle promises to sign it.

Ann Brensel's daughter Abigail was born in 2005 with profound hearing loss. The family tried to get her a cochlear implant before she turned 1 but was denied by their insurance company.

Abigail finally got the device implanted in her left ear last year after her father switched jobs and added his insurance coverage on top of his wife's plan. Still, the initial denial delayed Abigail's language development and put a strain on the family's finances.

Abigail's mother says her daughter will now have to go to a special school about 35 miles away in Waukesha rather than the local elementary school.

The Brensels are hopeful the bill's passage will help the next family in a similar situation.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Thursday, April 23, 2009 --- 2:10 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers are moving to become the first state to require insurance companies to cover cochlear implants for children with severe hearing problems.

The Senate and Assembly approved a bill Thursday that requires private health insurance plans to cover cochlear implants, hearing aids and related treatment for children under the age of 18.

While hearing aids help some children with hearing loss, those with more severe problems may be candidates for cochlear implants, which turn sound into electrical impulses that activate the hearing nerve, allowing the deaf to hear.

Supporters say too many families with deaf children cannot afford to pay for cochlear implants, which can cost $50,000 or more.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Thursday, April 23, 2009 --- 12:52 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers are moving to become the first state to require insurance companies to cover cochlear implants for children with severe hearing problems.

The Senate approved a bill Thursday that requires private health insurance plans to cover cochlear implants, hearing aids and related treatment for children under the age of 18.

The Assembly was considering a similar measure later Thursday.

While hearing aids help some children with hearing loss, those with more severe problems may be candidates for cochlear implants, which turn sound into electrical impulses that activate the hearing nerve, allowing the deaf to hear.

Supporters say too many families with deaf children cannot afford to pay for cochlear implants, which can cost $50,000 or more.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 --- 5:30 p.m.

A plea from parents of hearing-impaired children! They want insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants.

A similar bill passed the Senate during the last legislative session but never reached the Assembly floor for a vote. This time, these families hope lawmakers hear -- and heed their message for action.

Two and a half year-old Oliver was born prematurely. He suffers from hearing loss in both ears but still can hear his parents read to him. Oliver wears hearing aids.

"He was aided at the age of 6-months-old," his mom says.

Oliver's mother, Alicia Boehme, says early intervention has given her hearing-impaired child better speech and language skills.

"Oliver has already caught up to his peers, it's incredible."

Boehme testified in support of a pair of bills requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for children up to 18-years-old.

"Statistics have shown that most deaf and hard of hearing children read at the 4th grade level when they finish high school and have a 76 percent unemployment rate when they graduate."

But, some lawmakers wonder about the cost -- especially to small business ... struggling to provide coverage at all.

But Senator Julie Lassa a study out of Texas suggests no threat of dropping coverage. She says her bill actually saves taxpayers money in the long run.

"What these business owners probably don't realize is that they are paying through their property taxes and income taxes for these kids," Sen. Lassa says.

"Five-to-ten thousand dollars per child per year in reduced or eliminated special education costs and that's because when you get sound into a kid's ear, if you get it in early, they will catch up to their peers by the time they enter kindergarten with their speech and language development," Boehme says.

Today was a joint hearing before Assembly and Senate committee members. Senator Lassa says she's hopeful a Democratic Assembly will pass the measure this session.