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.
The Hill reported that a similar bill passed the House 270-146 in 2012 but was never considered in the Senate.
Paulsen (pictured) said in a statement that there are more than 8,000 medical device companies in the U.S., which employ nearly half a million workers.
The January 15, 2013 issue of this newsletter documented how the medical device tax was causing serious unemployment:
Fox News reported that, as a result of the medical device tax contained in Obamacare, Stryker medical supply cut 1,170 jobs.
Newsmax found that other medical device manufacturers, including Boston Scientific, Dana Holding Corporation, Welch Allyn, Medtronic, Kinetic Concepts, and Smith & Nephew have each forecast the need to cut hundreds of jobs as a result of Obamacare.
In a statement, Hatch said that the tax is putting 43,000 jobs at risk.
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), who is also the Chairman of the bipartisan Rural Health Care Coalition, 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.
Supporting and promoting American manufacturing, innovation, and research and development will increase our economic competitiveness and ensure our economy is built to last.
HR 523 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The Chairman of that committee is Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI), who is not listed as one of 178 cosponsors of the bill. The ranking Democratic member is Congressman Sander Levin (MI), who is also not a cosponsor.
Hatch, the sponsor of S 232, said Obamacare's medical devices tax hurts both innovation and job creation:
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. It's just plain bad policy and should be fully repealed.
The leading Democratic cosponsor of S 232, Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), said:
In order to compete in the global economy, our medical device businesses need a level playing field. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure our medical device manufacturers can continue to advance the pioneering technologies that save lives and create good jobs.
S 232 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Chairman, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), is not a cosponsor, but Hatch is the Republican ranking member of the committee.
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The previous issue What's Happening with Conservatives and the Tea Party: Obama using drones to kill American citizens
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