Rep. Bronna Kahle’s latest plan to make medical care more affordable in Michigan is now state law.

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

“In Lenawee County and across Michigan, these procedures are needed to improve the quality of life for our loved ones,” said Kahle, of Adrian. “This new law will prevent an extra tax from being tacked on and passed along to patients and their families, making health care more affordable.”

Kahle said the legal clarification is needed because of recent changes in policy from the Michigan Department of Treasury. She noted her plan ensures the original intent of state law – that the devices be tax-exempt – is followed.

In 2017, Kahle successfully sponsored a law that added dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures to the list of items that are exempt from state sales and use tax. Eyeglasses, hearing aids and walkers are among the other devices already exempt from the tax.