Press Release

Chairman Price Responds to IRS Rules on ObamaCare’s Medical Device Tax

Washington, D.C.– House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) responded to the release of final rules for the tax on medical devices contained within President Obama’s health care overhaul, saying:

“President Obama’s healthcare takeover includes at least 21 new taxes.  This week, the Internal Revenue Service outlined which medical supplies and technologies will be subject to a tax. Now, everything from latex gloves to pacemakers will become more expensive and in some cases, more scarce.

“The tax on medical devices harms America’s ability to conduct the necessary research and development to maintain our global competitiveness, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and fewer groundbreaking innovations in this field.  With millions of Americans unemployed, this simply makes no sense.  This hurts both patients and workers.

“This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan measure to fully repeal the medical device tax.  Like most bills, it awaits floor action in the U.S. Senate.

“Repealing the medical device tax is a place where Republicans and Democrats alike can find common ground in efforts to serve the American people.  At a time when so many across the country crave bipartisanship, this is an issue in which Congress can work cooperatively to protect patient-centered health care and safeguard American jobs.  The only thing lacking is presidential leadership, a recurring theme.”

Chairman Price penned an editorial in May describing the effects of the tax’s implementation on American innovation, quality of health care and the nation’s economy.

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