By Joe Damico

Recently, our state legislators have introduced several bills in the NYS legislature, which if passed, will benefit our hard of hearing population. To ensure passage of these important bills, our legislative committee is recommending that all Hearing Loss Association members write letters to their respective legislators, to support these bills. A simple letter--doesn't have to be complicated--makes an impact (the more personal the better; no form letters).
If I were to send a letter to all the legislators urging them to vote yes on these bills, it would have less impact than all of our members writing a letter to their individual representative for support. Our legislators listen to their constituents. They count the number of letters.

The actual representative may not read your letter, but be assured that some one on the staff will read it.

As we become more deeply involved in legislative efforts, it seemed prudent to develop a " Use of Name" policy so that our members understand the importance of presenting a united organizational stand on legislative issues. Though HLAA recognizes and respects the member's opinion on a legislative issue may be at a variance with what HLAA is taking a stand on, those concerns should be addressed to legislators as an individual and not as a representative of HLAA. Policy makers receiving conflicting opinions from members of the same organization may either be confused by different view points or worse, may discount the legislative efforts of the group due to the apparent discrepancies. Thus, our policy would be that a member may support HLAA's legislative agenda, may refrain from support, but may not oppose legislative efforts in the name of HLAA.

Please be assured that all members of our legislative committee will have a voice to discuss what they feel and the opinions of our members will be given the utmost consideration when organizational stands are developed.

This year, there are several bills concerning hard of hearing people that will be voted on. Hearing Aid Insurance bills at the state and federal level are pending. Also, free telecommunication devices for the hard of hearing and the deaf are being considered. A State Interagency Council for services to persons who are deaf, deaf -blind, or hard of hearing to promote a comprehensive service system, is in the works. Therefore, I ask you to write letters immediately to your respective New York State legislators. Below are the bills and their numbers. I suggest that you cover only one bill in each letter, although you may include several letters in an envelope.

Thank you for your efforts in getting this important legislation passed.

 Bills pending in the New York legislature:

 1.HEARING AID INSURANCE

Bill No. A04731 (Assembly) Morelle. Hearing Aid Insurance Bill
Bill No. S00171 (Senate) sponsored by James Alesi.

This bill requires insurance companies to pay $1000 for up to two hearing aids every three years. The insurance companies are lobbying very hard against these bills, so passage does not look good. Update: Senator Alesi has re-introduced this bill for 2005, but it has not been posted on the senate web site yet. As soon as the new number is posted on the senate web site we will post it here.

2. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR ALL NEW YORKERS

 Bill No. A05953 ( Assembly) sponsored by Paulin.
 Bill No. S02164 ( Senate ) sponsored by Robach.
Directs establishment and administration of a state-wide program for telephone access for all NewYorkers, including the hearing and visually impaired. Includes TTYs and assistive listening devices. The funds for this bill will come from a surcharge to all telephone users.

3. TAX CREDIT BILLS

Bill No. HR2329, Federal Tax Credit - McCarthy-D, NY
Bill No. S1410 (Senate ) sponsored by Senator Coleman.
Allows $500 tax credit per hearing aid every five years. This bill has a possibility of passing because the insurance companies are not involved; therefore no lobbying. It is important that all our members should write or call Senators Clinton and Schumer to ask them to co-sponsor this bill.

Bill No. A00293 (Assembly) Morelle.
Same as federal bill No HR2329, only on a state level. Allows a $500 state income tax credit for hearing aids every 5 years.
Bill No. S00289 (Senate) Alesi.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Know your state legislators. Use the following websites To find your state representatives.

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/

You can look up your state senator by zip code and you will find tons of info here including floor calendars for the senate and the assembly and legislative progress on a certain issue.

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/

You can look up your assemblyperson by zip here and there is a handy bill search for checking progress. You only need to type in the bill’s number. Also, there are more thorough legislative reports and calendars, etc. Lots of fun things!

You can also call your local election board ( in the phone book), or contact your library.

With the advent of the anthrax scare, it has become difficult for legislators to receive mail through the post office. You can still write to your legislators, but if you want a quick response it is suggested that you use e-mail. All legislators have e-mail addresses, and you can get that by calling your legislator's local office

 

Click here for sample letters