Legislation Introduced to Ease Burden of OTC Costs

Sjögren’s syndrome patients have moved a giant step closer to getting a tax break for expenditures for OTC drugs and products. Federal legislation authorizing such a tax break was introduced in Congress just before the 2003 Thanksgiving congressional recess. SSF members made this major breakthrough possible by providing personal stories about the burden of OTC costs. These stories helped persuade legislators that something needed to be done.

Rep. Jim DeMint (R-SC) introduced the bill, and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) took on the role of a lead co-sponsor. According to the legislation, as long as a physician or dentist says that you need a drug or product for a medical condition, then the cost may be deducted in the medical and dental expense section when you itemize your taxes. All medical and dental expenses cited must come to at least 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

Watch for the December 2003 SSF Moisture Seekers Newsletter
for more information on this legislation.

Your help is needed!
Write your U.S. Representative and ask him/her to support the DeMint/ Slaughter OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act, H.R. 3596. Ask them to contact the offices of either Representatives DeMint or Slaughter, offer their support and become a sponsor of the bill. Your Congressional member should also watch for the “Dear Colleague” letter being circulated on Capitol Hill entitled “Cosponsor Bipartisan Bill to Make Over-the-Counter Drugs Tax Deductible”. Find your Congressional member’s name and address by clicking here: http://www.sjogrens.org/advocacy/representative.html

Click here to view a sample letter.

Take the SSF Press Release to your local newspapers and radio and television stations. Help spread the word about the OTC issue, Sjögren's syndrome, and the SSF!
Click here to view and download the press release.

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