Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, chair of the Michigan House Tax Policy Committee, has sponsored a new law making certain medical procedures more affordable.

Afendoulis’ legislation to ensure implantable medical devices are exempt from Michigan’s 6 percent sales and use tax has been signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. The change will ensure patients are not forced to cover the costs of additional taxes when they need surgically implanted devices such as hip implants, joint replacements, and spinal stimulators for pain management.

“This effectively will lower the costs of knee replacements, hip replacements and similar procedures for patients and their families across Michigan,” said Afendoulis, of Grand Rapids Township. “There will no longer be a 6 percent tax on these devices to be passed along through medical bills or insurance costs. Clarifying that these items should not be taxed is simply the right thing to do. It’s consistent with how other prosthetic devices are treated while reflecting the original intent of Michigan law.”

Items such as dental bridges and crowns, hearing aids and eyeglasses are already exempt from the sales and use tax.