Obamacare Tax on Innovative Health Products Would Hit Hoosier Manufacturers, Destroy Jobs

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today introduced legislation to suspend Obamacare's medical device tax for five years.

"The job-killing medical device tax would have a devastating impact on Hoosier workers and patients across the country who depend on life-saving medical innovation," Congresswoman Walorski said. "I am committed to permanently ending this burdensome tax. As we continue working toward repeal, we must protect workers and patients by preventing it from taking effect."

BACKGROUND

Walorski joined Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) in introducing H.R. 4617, which would provide relief for five years from Obamacare's 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device sales. Congress in 2015 delayed the tax for two years, but it is set to take effect once again in 2018. The House has also passed legislation to permanently repeal the tax.

H.R. 4617 was among several bills introduced by members of the Ways and Means Committee aimed at protecting American families and job creators from Obamacare taxes set to take effect in 2018.

* H.R. 4618, introduced by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), provides relief for two years from the tax on over-the-counter medications, expanding access and reducing health care costs by once again allowing for reimbursement under consumer-directed accounts.

* H.R. 4620, introduced by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), provides relief in 2018 from the Health Insurance Tax that drives up health care costs, if the insurer provides the plan holder with a premium rebate and delays the tax in 2019 for all insurers.

* H.R. 4619, introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), provides needed relief from the Health Insurance Tax, for 2 years for health care plans regulated by Puerto Rico.

* H.R. 4616, introduced by Reps. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), delivers three years of retroactive relief and one year of prospective relief from the harmful employer mandate paired with a one-year delay of the Cadillac Tax.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Read this original document at: https://walorski.house.gov/medical-device-tax-relief/