Tax credit for hearing aids...it looks we are getting closer to a vote

We finally have 100 sponsors! Don't forget to call your representatives and senators regarding this important legislation. Dr. McDonald

Hearing Aid Tax Credit Races Across 100th Cosponsor Threshold

Washington — Call it the speed of sound. The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit (HR 1646) has reached the symbolic cosponsorship threshold of 100 representatives at the end of July before the start of the 111th Congress' August reces, said the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) in a statement. In addition the HIA has also announced that Sen Olympia Snowe (R-Me) has joined as a cosponsor of the Senate's version the Hearing Aid Tax Credit (S 1019), and will cosign a “Dear Colleague” letter with Sen Harkin (D-Iowa) urging support from other senators.

This key milepost in the House was reached in only 5 months after the bill was introduced by congresspersons Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-Mich) on March 19. The legislation also includes 14 cosponsorships from members of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all tax legislation. In the 110th Congress (2007-2008), it took more than a year to reach the 100 cosponsor plateau. The bill has solid bipartisan House support from 66 Democrats and 34 Republicans, says the HIA.

As an influential member of the Senate Finance Committee, which reviews all tax legislation, Snowe’s cosponsorship and active support of the bill is significant, says the HIA. A cosponsor in the previous Congress, Snowe had declined to take a leading role on the tax credit while the Minnesota election outcome was still undetermined. Norm Coleman (R-Minn) was the original Republican champion of the Senate bill.

HIA is sponsoring two constituent events during the August recess period to thank representatives for their support of the legislation and to urge them to champion the bill in the coming months.

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The AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nevada chapter is hosting a brunch for Rep Dina Titus (D-Nev) on Aug 22.
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A coalition of groups, including the Hearing Loss Association of Wisconsin, members of the International Hearing Society, and local audiologists are coordinating a luncheon for Rep Ron Kind (D-Wis) on Aug 28.

Members of groups that support the hearing aid tax credit are planning other meetings with Ways and Means Committee members during the August recess to urge their support. Groups are already working to schedule meetings in Springfield, Mass; Raleigh, NC; and Bismarck, ND. Other meetings are planned for Birmingham, Ala; Clifton, NJ; Bronx, NY; and Buffalo, NY.

http://www.hearingreview.com/insider/2009-08-06_01.asp