Action Alert! Congress Threatens to Tax Hearing Aid Sales

Call Your Representative Now Now!

HLAA has learned that the health care reform package on the verge of being voted on includes language that would result in a tax of hearing aids. We need you to speak out against a possible tax.

Call your representative today. Tell her or him:

· Health Care Reform should not result in a tax on hearing aids
· Hearing aids are too expensive now – many people cannot afford the cost
· You have learned that health care reform package does not include language that would provide for coverage of hearing health care. If a tax on hearing aids passes, we are doubly hit. We must pay out of pocket for hearing aids and now must also pay a tax on those expensive items.

We are attaching a letter HLAA signed onto with other organizations that explains the issue in a little more depth. Feel free to send this letter to your representative in Congress.

Click for attached letter (Word Version)

Click for attached letter (PDF Version)

If you’d like to email your representative, visit the official website, copy and paste your comments to the form they provide for offering your input. http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml


Here is a sample letter to send via email to your representative in Congress:

I am distressed to learn that the Health Care Reform legislation may result in a tax on hearing aids.

I have heard that language that would provide for an exemption for items that are categorized as “Class I” has been abandoned in favor of a “retail only” exemption that would result in a tax on hearing aids. If that happens, it is very likely consumers who can barely afford hearing aids would be even harder pressed to purchase those with this additional tax.

I urge your office to oppose a tax on hearing aids!

People who have a hearing loss have been forgotten in health care reform. Neither services nor technology are covered, even for children. I urge you to support language that was included in the House version of Health Care Reform:

Well baby and well child care and oral health, vision, and hearing services, equipment, and supplies at least for children under 21 years of age.

In short, I urge you to

speak out against a tax on hearing aids
provide for coverage for all who need hearing health care services, equipment and supplies.

I am enclosing a paper on this topic signed by Hearing Loss Association and others against a tax on hearing aids.

I thank you for all your hard work on Health Care Reform.

Sincerely,

(your name)



Thanks! Let me know if you call or write your Representative. Advocacy@hearingloss.org

Thank you!