Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act Introduced
October 2003
Editor: Representative Jim Ryun of Kansas, who has been a consistent
supporter of people with hearing loss, has recently introduced a bill
that provides for SOME hearing aid purchasers to claim a federal tax
credit of up to $500 per device. Yes, it's only $500 per device, and
there are limits on how often a person can claim the credit, and not
everyone is allowed to take advantage of it. There are lots of
disadvantages. But it's a START, and can be expanded once it becomes
established.
As you would expect, SHHH is a strong proponent of this bill. Here
are portions of their recent email encouraging people to support the
bill. It includes a more detailed explanation of the bill, and a model
letter you should write to your representative to encourage him to
support the bill.
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U.S. Representative Jim Ryun (R-KS) introduced H.R.3103, the Hearing
Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, which will provide a tax credit of up to
$500 per device toward the purchase of hearing aids. SHHH and the
Hearing Industries Association, worked to improve H.R. 943, an earlier
version of the Bill.
The tax credit may be taken by an individual age 55 or older
purchasing a hearing aid for their own use, or by a parent purchasing a
hearing aid for a dependent child or parent. The tax credit is not
refundable and may be used once every five years.
The Bill has no restrictions on which type of hearing aid and
professional provider the consumer may select. The credit will apply to
any hearing aid that is considered a "qualified hearing aid"
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Co-sponsoring the bill are Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Rep. Jim
Walsh, (R-NY), and Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ). Rep. Ryun, a former Olympic
miler, is well known to SHHH members for his "early morning runs
with Jim Ryun" at past SHHH conventions. A hearing aid user
himself, Rep. Ryun is aware of the benefits and is taking the lead in
making them more available.
Other organizations supporting the bill are the Hearing Industries
Association and the American Academy of Audiology.
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ACTION ALERT!!!!
What Do You Need to Do? Help get more co-sponsors for Bill H.R.3103.
Please contact your representatives and urge them to co-sponsor Bill
H.R. 3103.
To find direct contact information for your representative go to the
Clerk of the House at http://clerk.house.gov/members/index.php
To phone your representative call U.S. Capitol Switchboard at
202-224-3121
Write or email your representative. Sample Letter/email:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr./ Mrs./ Ms Last Name:
I support H.R. 3103, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, and
ask that you co-sponsor it.
We need a special tax treatment for hearing aids because Medicare and
most insurance do not cover them. While 95% of individuals with hearing
loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only 22% currently
use them. The average out of pocket expense for two hearing aids today
is over $2,800, and thousands of people are unable to afford them.
(Use this paragraph to describe your own experience with hearing
aids, why they are so important to you, and the burden the high costs
place on your and your family.
I strongly support this Bill because it would bring the benefit of
hearing aids to close to two million people with hearing loss - those
over the age of 55 and dependent children.
Please show leadership on this issue and co-sponsor H.R. 3103.
Thank you very much.
Your name
