Palmer Supports Repealing the Medical Device Tax

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. – The House voted today in favor of H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, a repeal of the so-called medical device tax in The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Congressman Gary Palmer, a co-sponsor of H.R. 160, voted in favor and says the following:

"This tax should never have been passed. This tax actively works against the interests of those with serious but treatable medical conditions by stifling innovation.

"Medical devices, such as pacemakers, MRI scanners, artificial joints and heart valves, have made a positive difference in the lives of countless Americans. There have been extraordinary advances in the medical device industry and there is no limit to what new innovation can bring, provided we do not deter such innovation with unwise taxes. On top of all this, the tax also threatens the jobs of almost 40,000 Americans. It should be repealed with the rest of Obamacare."

Obamacare imposed a tax equal to 2.3 percent on the sale of any taxable medical device by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of such device. A bipartisan coalition supported repeal, and the bill was passed by a vote of 280 to 140.

For any additional questions, contact:
Cliff Smith, (202) 225-4991,clifford.smith@mail.house.gov

U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL) serves on three Congressional committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Budget, and Space, Science and Technology. Visit Palmer online at hiswebsite or viaFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram.