Rep. Sak offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 155.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act.

            Whereas, Hearing is clearly one of our most essential senses.  It is often taken for granted,  unfortunately, until the time one begins to experience hearing loss. At this point it is too late to reverse the damage. Hearing aids are the ready solution to the problems associated with hearing loss, but the costs associated with good quality equipment is expensive, is not always covered by one's insurance or Medicaid, and is too often foregone for more immediate needs. A federal tax credit would provide immediate and necessary relief for tens of thousands; and

            Whereas, Indeed, it has been estimated that hearing aids would help ninety-five percent of those suffering from hearing loss. Only twenty-two percent of the population, however, currently uses a hearing device, because the average out-of-pocket costs associated with hearing aids is over $2,800. Thousands upon thousands of individuals and family members are impacted by these soaring costs. It is estimated that close to 2 million people are affected by untreated  hearing loss; and

            Whereas, In Michigan, legislation was enacted in 1978 to exempt hearing aids from the state sales tax. This initiative was a clear recognition of the importance of cost savings to those in need of hearing aids. The Congress should follow this stellar example and enact similar tax incentives in the U.S. Tax Code; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.