For the past ten years Care Medical Equipment has advocated for a sales tax exemption for prescribed Durable Medical Equipment. While Washington’s present economic situation cannot afford an exemption, the good Representatives and Senators of Washington’s legislature have succeeded in addressing the issue in a manner that makes good sense.
Care Medical is pleased to announce that on Friday, March 12th, 2010 Governor Christine Gregoire signed SSB 6273 into law. Starting January 1st, 2011, insurance companies will be held accountable for paying their sales tax responsibilities for prescribed medical equipment through the transparency of “separate line item” billing.
Not only does this legislation significantly lessen the heavy burden of sales tax often placed on the patient, but it also helps ensure that the state of Washington collects millions of dollars in potential lost revenues. Let me clearly state that this does not mean that we have given up our goal of a sales tax exemption, but rather we have simply worked within the realities of the state budget and will resume this task once state revenues have stabilized.
This legislation was led by the Pacific Association of Medical Equipment Services (PAMES) in cooperation with numerous patient advocacy groups throughout the State of Washington. Care Medical would like to thank each of these supporting organizations for remaining vigilant to advocating for our communities. Without your continued support and the dedication of our Washington legislators, SSB 6273 would not have been a success!
Supporting organizations of SSB 6273 include:
ALS Association of Oregon & SW Washington Ch.
American College of Emergency Physicians Washington Ch.
Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment
Developmental Disabilities Council of Washington
Home Care Quality Authority of Washington
National MS Society – Greater Washington Ch.
Invacare Corporation
Pacific Association of Medical Equipment Services
Paralyzed Veterans of America – NW Ch.
Physical Therapy Association of Washington
Pride Mobility Products Corporation
Washington State Medical Association
Washington State Neurological Society
Washington State Senior Citizens’ Lobby |
