Jeanine Gleba “Warrior Mom” Who Championed New Jersey Hearing Aid Legislation Publishes Guide to Passing Laws

Named in honor of Gleba's daughter, "Grace's Law" requires all health insurers in New Jersey to provide up to $1,000 coverage for each hearing aid prescribed for children age 15 and younger. Gleba's grassroots advocacy effort began in 1999 and spanned nine years, during which numerous bills were introduced in six legislative sessions. In 2008, her legislative effort won the support of 57 sponsors in both houses of the state legislature.

"Although I had no previous experience as a lobbyist, I was able to beat out the professional insurance industry lobbyists who were against me by spearheading my own grassroots advocacy campaign," said Gleba. "Over the years I have been called the 'Erin Brockovich of hearing aids' and a 'Warrior Mom.' As a result, I wanted to produce a simple quick-read compendium with all of the things that I learned along the way. I will be publishing a book about my experience later this year."

"Gleba harnessed the support and enthusiasm of other families, sought and gained media coverage, participated in awareness and fundraising activities related to hearing loss, and she and her daughter Grace never missed a committee hearing related to the bill," said Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, chief executive officer, AG Bell, at the award ceremony. "Despite opposition from insurance companies and a general unwillingness among legislators to pass any legislation with a fiscal impact, the bill finally passed the full assembly, gaining sponsors from every district in the state."

Gleba's daughter, Grace, was born with a severe sensorineural hearing loss in each ear. The Gleba family lives in New Jersey where approximately 1 in 1,000 children are born with a hearing loss. With newborn hearing screenings required by law, Gleba felt that newborn hearing screening by itself was futile if children with hearing loss could not get appropriate and affordable amplification.