HIA and allied organizations representing people with hearing loss, parents of children with hearing loss, and hearing health professionals have officially united to support language under consideration in the Senate that would exempt FDA Class I medical devices (including hearing aids) from a tax proposal that is being considered as part of health reform. The House has already adopted a 2.5% medical device tax proposal that would base exemptions on whether a device was sold at “retail.” Hearing aids would almost certainly be taxed if the House proposal were adopted by Congress.
The coalition is working with supporters in the Senate as the chamber moves to consider various amendments and act on the overall health reform bill. Some of these amendments could alter the Class I exemption proposal. The coalition is also working with supporters in the House to prepare for a possible House/Senate conference that will determine the final shape of health care reform including what version of the tax will be adopted.
