The Michigan Senate voted unanimously on Sept. 28 to adopt S.403, the Hearing Aid Tax Credit. The bill, sponsored by Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit), was amended to provide a credit up to $1,500 for the purchase of a hearing aid by a person over 60 years old, or for a dependent.
The non-refundable credit would be available to Michiganders with a household income of $100,000 per year or less. S.403 must next be considered by the Michigan House of Representatives. HIA is supporting the efforts of the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan and the Michigan chapters of the AG Bell Assn for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and International Hearing Society as they work for passage of the bill. Contact Andy Bopp for more details.
Senator Hunter has encouraged HLA-MI and AG Bell-MI activists to contact their state Representatives to urge them to hold a hearing on the bill during the Lame Duck session after the November 2 elections. Contacts to members of the Michigan House Tax Policy Committee are especially helpful, especially to Chairman Kate Ebli who represents District 56, located in Monroe County south of Detroit. HIA members can assist by contacting your audiologist and dispenser customers in Michigan, especially those located in Monroe County, to ask them to contact their Reps and to encourage their patients/clients to do so as well. Details for contacting MI House members in support of the bill are attached. Contact Andy Bopp with any questions.
