(From the King County MS Association)

WA State is one of 3 states that still taxes home medical equipment. This is the 8th year that the Pacific Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (PAMES) has presented bills (House Bill 1324 and Senate Bill 5648) to the WA State legislature to remove the sales tax on home medical equipment (HME). Until now, all medical equipment suppliers in WA have absorbed the sales tax for their patients.

In a opinion letter dated 8/7/07 the Department of Revenue wrote that the patient has final responsibility for the sales tax. Based on this opinion and the shrinking reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers we are now forced to pass the sales tax on to the patients. This can amount to a substantial out of pocket expense (i.e. sales tax on a $20,000 wheelchair = $1,780.00 plus co-pay and deductible) for a patient. With the escalating costs of health care, health insurance, and prescription drugs, paying this sales tax will have a significant impact on patient's lives and pocketbooks.

Representative John Lovick facilitated a meeting with Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp. After presenting the facts, the Speaker acknowledged that he had some misinformation about the bill, i.e. he thought the loss of sales tax to the State was much higher than it really is. He agreed to assign one of his staff to become fully briefed on the effect of the legislation and report back to him. The very important thing that he said is that he has not heard from the citizens of WA. Rep. Lovick emphasized the same thing. OUR LEGISLATORS NEED TO HEAR FROM US.

Now that we have Speaker Chopp's attention, this is the year to get the legislation passed and you can help accomplish this by contacting your legislators. Every voice counts. One person can make a difference. The leadership of PAMES has done an excellent job of creating a website for you to go to http://www.notaxonhomemedicalequipment.org/. You can learn more and click on Contact your State Representative to find a link to the email for your state representatives. There is also sample language for you to use.

The citizens and patients of Washington need all the support we can garner for passage of these bills. The legislators need to hear a loud voice.

We are not asking for special treatment, only parity with the 47 other states who are not required to collect sales tax on home medical equipment, yet receive the same reimbursement dollars as WA State HME providers.

Thank you for your help.