Jewel Tolan Leads Fight at SearStone to Reinstate Medical Expenses

Deduction
In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to eliminate the medical expenses
deduction on state income taxes to take effect in the 2014 tax year. It was clear to members of
the North Carolina Continuing Care Residents Association and to SearStone resident Jewel
Tolan that this action would increase state income taxes for residents of continuing care
retirement communities, as well as others with excessive medical expenses.
During the past year, the NCCCRA led a campaign to secure reinstatement of the medical
expenses deduction for tax year 2015 and beyond. Heres a brief recap of how they did it.
Summer 2014
CCRC residents wrote letters to members of the Budget Conference Committee requesting
support of a 2014 bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Catlin that provided for a medical expenses
deduction for seniors with a $20,000 cap.
Fall 2014
CCRC residents attending the NCCCRA Annual Meeting overwhelmingly supported a
legislative initiative for the reinstatement of the medical expenses deduction. NCCCRA
President Walt Boyer sent letters to new and returning legislators in the General Assembly
making them aware of the issue.
The NCCCRA developed a legislative plan of action, and created a Legislative Committee
chaired by Sindy Barker. Sindy contacted other state organizations supporting the elderly to
promote a coalition for advocacy efforts with the state legislature. In the meantime, Rep. Catlin
introduced a broadened bill without a cap when the 2015 General Assembly convened.
At SearStone, Jewel informed residents of the anticipated negative impact of the General
Assemblys vote, and on actions taken by NCCCRA to rectify the situation.
February 2015
Sindy emailed CCRC representatives, asking that they encourage residents to contact local
representatives for their support of Rep. Catlins House Bill 46, Senior Tax Deduction for
Medical Expenses. As the SearStone representative to the NCCCRA, Jewel distributed a letter to
residents requesting their participation.
March-June 2015
Under the direction of the NCCCRA Legislative Committee, residents in CCRCs across the state
wrote, emailed, and phoned their elected officials. They also wrote letters to the editors of local
newspapers and invited legislators to come to their community association meetings.
Legislative Committee members attended House sessions and spoke to the House Committee on
Aging. Articles and political cartoons about this issue began appearing in news media across the
state. The North Carolina Retired Governmental Employee Association and members of AARP
added their support of HB46.

Gov. Pat McCrory proposed reinstatement of the medical expenses deduction without a cap in
his budget.
Jewel and several SearStone residents wrote to Wake County House representatives, asking them
to sign on as co-sponsors of HB46. In April, almost 100 SearStone residents turned out to sign
16 letters going to the leadership of the House Committee on Finance.
The bill made its way through several committees and was included in the budget. The budget
was passed by the House. The Senates version of the budget included the medical expenses
deduction but with a $20,000 cap, not giving tax relief needed to those citizens who would be
hardest hit with medical expenses.
July-September 2015
Walt and Sindy jointly sent letters to all members of the General Assembly asking that the cap be
removed. NCCCRA requested that CCRC residents send another round of letters to the governor,
House speaker and Senate president pro tem, and Jewel forwarded the request to SearStone
residents. She also personally sent emails to Gov. McCrory thanking him for his support, and to
House and Senate leaders asking them for a deduction without a cap.
On September 13, General Assembly leaders announced they had finalized the budget
agreement. The medical expenses deduction was reinstated without a cap. On September 18,
Gov. McCrory signed the 2015 budget into law.
I learned two things from this first experience lobbying our legislature, said Jewel. One: In
North Carolina, we do have a government of the people and by the people. Two: We may be
living in a continuing care retirement community, but WE DID IT!