A Win for Patients

Published in Government Relations on July 26, 2023

As we approach the effective date of numerous laws passed by the Legislature this year, we want to extend our appreciation to Don Whitney, PAMES, and all those involved in the relentless efforts to get SB 5218 passed. With the dedicated sponsorship of 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, this law marks a significant step forward in making motorized wheelchairs more accessible for everyone. 

Read the announcement below from Sen. Mike Padden's office.

People buying motorized wheelchairs or other mobility-improving equipment will pay less thanks to Senate Bill 5218, which makes such equipment tax-exempt. The Senate and House unanimously approved SB 5218.

“This law will help people with disabilities by removing the sales tax from motorized wheelchairs or other technological equipment, which will help them save money while also helping maintain their independence,” said Padden.

One of the people who provided written testimony in support of SB 5218 is Steve Gleason, a former Gonzaga Prep, Washington State University, and New Orleans Saints football player who contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“This is a huge win for both patients and companies that sell mobility-enhancing equipment, as it removes a barrier that a lot of times made it impossible for patients to get equipment,” said Don Whitney, chief operating officer of Inland Medical and Rehab. “Most insurances, including Medicare, did not pay for the sales tax, leaving either the patient or our company to pay the tax to the state Department of Revenue. In Spokane that is equivalent to 9%. So a $40,000 high-end CRT wheelchair would have a tax of $3,600 that needed to be collected from the patient or our company just absorbed the tax and paid it. We absorbed the cost just so we could service our patients, who are also our friends. In the last decade, over 60 independent companies in Washington state went out of business as they could not maintain paying sales tax and not being reimbursed it.

“My hope is this will help the bottom line for all companies providing services in Washington, leading to patients having more access to service and receiving better equipment. Patients who have to pay privately for this equipment will now also have greater access by not having to pay the tax. Most patients are on limited incomes, and without this equipment may be hospitalized or put into long-term care. The passage of SB 5218 has opened the door for people so they can stay in their homes and has helped companies improve their bottom lines to remain in business and provide quality products and access to service to its patients,” added Whitney.

The new law states that to claim the sales-tax exemption, the purchaser must provide the seller with an exemption certificate as prescribed by the State Department of Revenue. The tax exemption will apply to mobility-enhancing equipment sold or used on or after Aug. 1, 2023.


TAGS

  1. complex rehab
  2. vgm
  3. vgm government

From Our Experts

VGM Launches Tariff Tracking Resource & H.R. 2005 Gains Another Key Supporter thumbnail VGM Launches Tariff Tracking Resource & H.R. 2005 Gains Another Key Supporter VGM Government Relations is excited to announce the launch of a dedicated online page designed to serve as a centralized hub for all tariff-related information. This resource aims to provide our users with the tools and insights they need to stay informed and navigate tariff updates effortlessly. CAMPS Members Advocate For DME Industry At The Capitol thumbnail CAMPS Members Advocate For DME Industry At The Capitol On a pivotal day at the California State Capitol, members of the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers (CAMPS) gathered to advocate for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry. The delegation, led by CAMPS President Paul Ondrusek, engaged in a series of high-impact meetings with Assembly members and Senators. Telehealth Provisions Extended Through 2025: What You Need to Know thumbnail Telehealth Provisions Extended Through 2025: What You Need to Know In a significant move for healthcare accessibility, the latest Continuing Resolution (CR) passed by Congress includes an extension of telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement policies. This extension, which runs through Sept. 30, 2025, ensures that millions of patients and healthcare providers can continue to benefit from telehealth services across the United States. Here's a breakdown of the telehealth key provisions included in the CR: Proposed Decision Memo For Non-Invasive Ventilators thumbnail Proposed Decision Memo For Non-Invasive Ventilators The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a decision memo on Tuesday, March 11, for a proposal NCD for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for the treatment of chronic respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bill to Fund the Government Passes the House thumbnail Bill to Fund the Government Passes the House This week, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) bill to fund the government through September. The next step is Senate approval, where a vote is expected in the coming days. Relationships Matter thumbnail Relationships Matter VGM Group, Inc is proud to announce that Rep. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Rep. Feenstra (R-IA) are lead sponsors of the DMEPOS Relief Act (H.R. 2005)! This bill will provide the 75/25 DME Relief and guide our work in the 119th Congress. Navigating the Fast-Paced News Cycle: Key Updates for Our Industry thumbnail Navigating the Fast-Paced News Cycle: Key Updates for Our Industry As we move into the new year, the headlines are coming at us fast and furious. The constant stream of information from Washington, D.C. can be overwhelming and often confusing. Topics such as tariffs, budgets, and DOGE dominate the news, making it feel like a game of "follow the bouncing ball." H.R.1703 - CRT House Companion Bill To S.247 Introduced thumbnail H.R.1703 - CRT House Companion Bill To S.247 Introduced Last week, Representatives John Joyce (R-PA) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced H.R.1703, a companion bill to Senate bill S.247. This legislation aims to clarify Medicare Part B payment rules for manual wheelchairs.