[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E922-E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROTECT MEDICAL INNOVATION ACT OF 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 2015

  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my frustration with 
the latest attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act. I strongly 
support expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all 
Americans. Now, the Affordable Care Act isn't perfect, but where 
problems arise in the law, we should work together to find solutions 
and fix them. But crippling the law by cutting billions of dollars or 
robbing the Prevention and Public Health Fund is not a real solution. 
I've consistently opposed bills that would undermine or repeal the 
Affordable Care Act, and that's why I cannot support either H.R. 160 or 
H.R. 1190.
  I do not support the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory 
Board and believe that the medical device tax needs to be changed. I am 
committed to working with my colleagues to responsibly fund the vital 
programs under the ACA without stifling innovation or slowing research 
and development.

[[Page E923]]

Medical device manufacturers in Connecticut develop essential and 
lifesaving products that are critical to treating every patient whether 
in a physician's office, a hospital, a nursing home, or in the field by 
emergency responders. They provide well-paying jobs throughout my 
district making products that are sold throughout our country and 
exported around the world. I will continue to call for the medical 
device tax to be responsibly replaced.

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