[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROTECT MEDICAL INNOVATION ACT OF 2015

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                               speech of

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 2015

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my thoughts on the 
medical device tax.
  H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, would repeal 
the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical devices enacted as part of the 
Affordable Care Act. While I voted in opposition of H.R. 160, I 
recognize the concerns of many in the medical technology industry 
regarding the implications of an excise tax on medical devices.
  Under the Affordable Care Act, 16.4 million Americans have gained 
health coverage and access to critical health services. The tax on 
medical devices was designed as a means to offset the gains made by the 
industries that benefit from the law's successful expansion of 
healthcare coverage and is a critical component of paying for the law's 
implementation. It is problematic that H.R. 160 does not provide for 
the cost of eliminating the tax. I do not believe that it is prudent to 
repeal this tax at this time, but we should continue to monitor its 
long-term impact and perhaps revisit the issue in the future.

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