Rep. Erik Paulsen 
What's Happening with Seniors Benefits

Bills to repeal Obamacare tax introduced in House and Senate

by Art Kelly | 2/12/2013


Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and 178 cosponsors have introduced HR 523, to repeal the $30 Billion medical device tax in Obamacare.

A Senate companion bill, S 232, has been introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and 7 cosponsors.

A similar bill passed the House 270-146 in 2012 but was never considered in the Senate.

There are more than 8,000 medical device companies in the U.S., which employ nearly half a million workers. The tax is putting 43,000 jobs at risk.

Congressman Paulsen said the medical device tax is “not only costing our country jobs and deterring innovation, but more importantly, it will reduce patient access to cutting edge medical products and treatments that save lives.”

The leading Democratic cosponsor of HR 523, Congressman Ron Kind (WI), said. “Repealing the medical device tax eliminates barriers to medical innovation, ensuring patients have access to life saving technologies and reduces the burden on tight R&D budgets, spurring job growth in the industry.”

Senator Hatch said, “Whacking medical device manufacturers with a near $30 Billion tax hike stifles the development of life-saving medical devices with high costs that will, ultimately, be passed on to consumers.”

The leading Democratic cosponsor of S 232, Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), said, “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure our medical device manufacturers can continue to advance the pioneering technologies that save lives and create good jobs.”

HR 523 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  S 232 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.