Latest News Congressman Introduces Bill to Expand Medicare Benefits for Vision By Staff Monday, June 20, 2016 12:24 AM Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash. WASHINGTON, D.C.—A veteran Democratic congressman wants to expand Medicare's benefits to provide vision, hearing and dental care to seniors.Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., introduced a bill two weeks ago that would cover the cost of eye exams, hearing aids and dental exams. McDermott’s introduction of the bill was first reported by the Washington Examiner. McDermott, who is a medical doctor as well as a senior, believes that expanding the Medicare benefits would help prevent other health care problems faced by seniors. Speaking during a subcommittee hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee that shared Medicare legislative topics, he said, "Untreated vision disorders substantially increase risk for falls among senior citizens. These falls can result in injuries and hospitalizations."The bill would amend Medicare Part B to include coverage for routine and major dental care, refractive eye exams, hearing exams and coverage for items such as hearing aids. McDermott added that it would place "reasonable limitations on coverage and provides the new benefits will be phased in gradually."The bill doesn't address how much the additional benefits would cost or how they would be paid for.