Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) has reintroduced the bipartisan Hearing Aid Tax Credit (H.R. 1646) along with Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and a record number of original co-sponsors, including 8 members of the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill, with the addition of a $200,000/year income eligibility cap, is otherwise unchanged from legislation in the 110th Congress that attracted 112 co-sponsors by the end of the session.
The hearing health community has worked as a coalition to focus Congressional attention on the importance of hearing health and the burdens associated with the lack of financial assistance for treatment. In addition to coalition efforts on Capitol Hill, HIA has sponsored local AG Bell, HLAA and IHS chapters that have hosted events for Representatives in their districts to demonstrate the importance of this legislation to voters. Events have been held in Napa, CA for Rep. Mike Thompson; Las Vegas for Rep. Shelley Berkley; Midland, MI for Rep. Dave Camp; and Maryland for Rep. Chris Van Hollen, among many others.
On Saturday, March 28, the Pennsylvania chapters of HLAA, AG Bell and IHS will host an HIA-sponsored brunch for Rep. Allyson Schwartz in suburban Philadelphia to thank her for her support of the tax credit. More than 170 people are registered to attend.
