Better Hearing Institute (BHI) in collaboration with Hearing Industries Association (HIA) has announced the unveiling of a new website, www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org, which was created in order to champion pending tax credit legislation (HR2329/S1410) and garner widespread support. These House and Senate bills would provide up to $1,000 in tax credit to consumers when two hearing devices are purchased. BHI has urged a call to action for both the hearing industry and consumers to use the website for contacting senators and representatives with the goal of generating a million letters to Congress in support of the legislation.
At www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org, visitors can send letters to their respective senators and representatives with just a few clicks and ask them to support this legislation that will help defray the costs of hearing instruments. The Write Congress Now link on the homepage provides a list of local representatives and state senators based on the zip code entered. The site makes it easy to personalize a letter, describing individual and family experiences related to hearing loss and the cost of amplification. Or, visitors can "cast" votes using a form letter with no writing required. Messages can be printed and mailed, or sent via email for immediate delivery. Congressional sponsors of the bill receive a thank-you note for their support while others are informed of the importance of this critical piece of legislation.
How Can Professionals Help?
In addition to a letter writing campaign directed at Congress, BHI offers several practical suggestions for professionals to help garner support for the legislation.
- When writing congressional leaders online, inform up to 10 other people and ask for their support with a click.
- Inform all hearing aid wearers of the legislation and obtain their support. Encourage them to visit www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org. Include a flier or card in all hearing aid deliveries, ALD and battery purchases, and display them in your waiting room. Consider mailing a postcard to your patient database.
- Post information about the legislation on your website and provide a link to the tax credit site. If you have a large database, do an email blast (include the link!) informing your clients, customers and associates of the tax credit bill and urge their support.
- Write to the op-ed editor of your local newspaper to post a letter on the editorial page. Include the link to show support.
- Promote support in your community using community bulletin boards, club meetings, service organization luncheons and so on. When you give a community outreach talk or in-service, urge people to take action to support the legislation. The effort is to get group support, creating a snowball effect.
- Raise corporate awareness. Mention the campaign to your manager, director, supervisor or CEO and encourage support for the bill among co-workers. Make sure you carefully describe the "how-to" aspect of showing support.
- If you're a member of the medical community - especially the hearing health segment, write a letter on your professional stationery to all of your representatives in the nation's capital. Your letterhead lends credence to the effort.
- For a professionally-written press release from the Better Hearing Institute, you'll find a printer friendly version on the BHI site.
