Hearing Loss Association of American,
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech meet Congresswoman Hart on
HR 414: Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill
About 40 people joined Congresswoman Melissa Hart for supper at the Marriott North on Monday, October 30, 2006. The gathering was a first in this area for audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, parents of children with hearing loss, children and adults with hearing loss and other people with disabilities.
The Hearing Loss Association of PA and the Pittsburgh Chapter were asked to do such an event by their national organization, Hearing Loss Association of America, which has joined with Hearing Industries Association to advocate for HR 414, Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill. HLA A and affiliates are consumer organizations which provide information, support, and advocacy for people with hearing loss.
Attendees enjoyed a tasty buffet and talked individually to Representative Hart about their concerns. Children, Meghan and Philip, delighted the audience with leadership of the Pledge of Allegiance and carrying the basket of gifts to Rep. Hart. Meghan, who has a hearing loss, is a first grader at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech. Philip, who also has a hearing loss and is a former student at DePaul, is now mainstreamed in third grade at St. Alexis in Wexford where Rep Hart attended school as a child.
Teresa Nellans, Assistant Director of the HLA of PA served as mistress of ceremonies and spoke about what people with hearing loss want and who they are. Mrs. Nellans emphasized that we want to live independently when we grow older and that children who receive hearing assistance when identified at birth can learn, work, and participate more fully in society. There are over a million people with hearing loss in Pennsylvania and 95% of them can be helped with hearing aids and/or other assistive listening devices.
Congresswoman Hart addressed health issues and the HR 414 specifically. She explained how the legislation might work and move through Congress. Ms. Hart was informed and showed genuine interest in helping people with hearing loss reduce the cost of hearing aids. She noted that Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. Rep. Hart is a co-sponsor of this legislation which will provide a $500 tax credit for people with dependent children with hearing loss as well as those 55 and older. The legislation will have to come before the Ways and Means Committee, of which she is a member, and already has the endorsement of 110 members of the House as well as 17 Senators.
Andrew Bopp, representing the HIA, an organization of manufacturers of hearing aids and other assistive devices, presented Ms Hart with a lighthearted gift. HIA sponsored the supper. Mary Beth Kernan, President of the PA Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing spoke about the organization. AG Bell is a lifelong resource support network and advocate for listening, learning, talking, and living independently with hearing loss. David Williams, Director of Administrative Services at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech informed the audience of the school’s goals and students.
Wayne Benson, President of HLA Pittsburgh, closed the event by discussing the costs of hearing aids and the reason for HB 414.
It is hoped that this local coalition of organizations can continue to work together to benefit children and adults with hearing loss and the families, co-workers, and professionals that relate to them.
