[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 126 (Thursday, July 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1093-E1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROTECT MEDICAL INNOVATION ACT OF 2017

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                               speech of

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my thoughts on H.R. 
184, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2017. I recognize concerns 
regarding the implications of an excise tax on medical devices for the 
consumer. However, this bill is a clear effort by the House Majority to 
continue taking a sledgehammer to the Affordable Care Act and pander to 
corporate interests.
  H.R. 184 is neither good policy nor good messaging. Americans need 
thoughtful legislation that will improve upon the Affordable Care Act, 
lower healthcare costs and insurance premiums, expand access to care, 
and improve the quality of care they receive. Instead, the House 
Majority brought H.R. 184 to the Floor, without providing for the cost 
of eliminating the tax, increasing the deficit by $20 billion dollars 
over 10 years, all to benefit major corporations. As we've seen them do 
before after the passage of their Tax Scam, Republicans would then 
cynically use the rising deficits as an excuse to target Medicare, 
Medicaid, and Social Security. Therefore, I do not believe it is 
prudent to repeal this tax, especially without a plan to offset the 
cost.
  I encourage the Majority to make an earnest effort to improve the 
state of our healthcare systems. I'd gladly join them in working to 
produce legislation that strengthens the Affordable Care Act by 
protecting preexisting conditions, expanding access to critical health 
services, increasing insurance coverage enrollment, decreasing costs 
and premiums, and improving the quality of treatment all Americans 
receive. H.R. 184 accomplishes none of these.

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