Speech and hearing centers

The Warren Center for Communication & Learning in Bangor has never turned away someone in need. Not since it started in 1961 and not now, though it runs a deficit that would make most businesses run for cover. But the speech and hearing center might soon have to change its ways unless its Medicaid reimbursement begins to come closer to matching actual costs.

Like five other hearing centers statewide, the Warren Center offers assistance in speech therapy and audiology to hundreds of clients annually. It provides such services as hearing tests and hearing-aid fittings, treatment for articulation, stuttering and cognition problems, language and swallowing disorders. Though most of its clients are children, the center also helps asthmatics of all ages and sufferers of stroke.

Speech and hearing centers are the first line of help for young children in need. Without such services, these children are much more likely to struggle and fail in school, leading to lifelong problems. The Legislature has talked a lot about early childhood intervention as being key to successful educational careers. Here is a service that has lived under that concept for decades.

But it may not survive much longer, at least for those without private insurance, a group that makes up 80 percent of the Warren Center’s clientele. These clients most often rely on Medicaid for payment, which covers a mere 44 percent of standard costs. The problem has grown worse as the number of people needing services has increased and the reimbursement level has slipped. The Warren Center during the last two years has used up more than $150,000 of its reserves to cover costs the government won’t.

No one expects Medicaid to pay the full costs of treatment — the typical ceiling for expenses is around 70 percent. The speech and hearing centers are not asking for even that much. They figure an increase to 60 percent this year and to 65 percent in 2000 will allow them to keep their doors open to everyone.

The cost to the state for this invaluable service? Approximately $46,000 this year and $94,000 the next, a minuscule amount in a multi-billion-dollar budget. Every dollar of the state increase, by the way, leverages $2 in federal money to help Maine kids. It is a tiny contribution from the state for crucial services to thousands of families each year.

There should be no opposition to this amendment to the budget. The danger is that the funding figure is so small that it will be ignored during the debate over far more expensive items. That need not and should not happen. A simple reminder to legislators from anyone who has been helped by these centers would easily ensure that it is not forgotten.

Even better, lawmakers can publicly express support for these services now and make sure the increase for speech and hearing is in the budget when the session ends.