Despite Veto Threat, House Approves Bill To Repeal Health Law’s Medical Device Tax
Repealing this tax would add more than $24 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years, and the bill's backers have not yet offered a way to offset this cost.
USA Today:
House Ignores Veto Threat And Backs Repeal Of Medical Device Tax
The House on Thursday easily backed repeal of a tax on the medical device industry. But President Obama has threatened to veto the bill, which would add more than $24 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. With not all House members voting Thursday, that chamber's 280-140 vote fell one vote shy of a veto-proof majority to repeal the tax, which helps pay for the expansion of health insurance under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. (Groppe, 6/18)
The Associated Press:
House Votes To Kill Health Care Law's Medical Device Tax
The House defied a White House veto threat and voted Thursday to abolish a tax on medical device makers as a group of Democrats uncharacteristically joined Republicans in moving to kill part of President Barack Obama's health care law. Thursday's 280-140 House vote was exactly the two-thirds margin that supporters would need to override a presidential veto. The real suspense will come in the Senate, which voted overwhelmingly to repeal the levy in 2013, but in a nonbinding roll call lacking the political pressures of a veto showdown. (Fram, 6/18)
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
Paulsen's Medical Device Tax Repeal Bill Garners Near Veto-Proof House Majority
The House on Thursday voted to repeal a medical device tax that Minnesota’s medical technology sector lobbied extensively to kill. ... The legislation’s lack of an alternative revenue source is a sticking point with President Obama and many Democrats because the device tax helps pay for the Affordable Care Act. Without another funding stream, repeal would add a projected $24.4 billion to the federal deficit over 10 years. (Spencer, 6/18)
The Hill:
House Votes To Repeal ObamaCare Tax
Supporters of the bill say the 2.3 percent tax, which affects about 7,000 manufacturers nationwide, is holding back innovation on important devices like X-ray machines and ventilators. “Only in Washington would you impose a tax on life-saving medical technology and think you will actually reduce healthcare costs," said Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), the bill’s lead sponsor. The House first voted to repeal the tax passed in 2012. While the bill does not include a plan to make up for the lost revenue from repealing the tax, supporters believe it stands a chance of clearing both chambers now that the Senate is controlled by Republicans. (Ferris, 6/18)
