WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 184, legislation to permanently repeal the Medical Device Tax.
“It is high time this job-killing, innovation-stunting tax was repealed once and for all. Since its inception under the Obama Administration, the Medical Device Tax has cost the economy more than 25,000 jobs and led to millions of dollars in spending cuts to research and development on potentially life-saving new devices,” said Whip Scalise. “This tax has disproportionately harmed smaller manufacturers and led to artificially high prices for health care consumers. Repealing this tax will help ensure the U.S. maintains its position as the world’s leading health care innovator and allow us to continue finding new breakthroughs and cures. I’m glad to have helped lead a full repeal of this burdensome tax through the House and I urge the Senate to pass this bill so the President can sign it into law.”
Background:
The Medical Device Tax took effect in 2013. Since 2015, Congress has passed two short-term suspensions of the tax. Today’s vote is the first step toward a full repeal of the tax becoming law.