FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7^th, 2012

Paulsen Bill to Repeal Job Killing Tax Sails Through House with Bipartisan Support

Repealing the Device Tax Will Protect American Jobs, Innovation, and Patient Care

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Erik Paulsen’s (MN-03) Healthcare Costs Reduction Act passed on the floor of the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 270 to 146. The bill would repeal a new $29 billion tax on American medical device companies. Paulsen pointed out that unless the tax is stopped it will cost jobs and reduce patient access to the latest life-improving and life-saving technologies. Successfully passing this legislation was the result of Rep. Paulsen’s concentrated efforts to collaborate and work with patients, doctors, businesses small and large, and manufacturers to find the best way to preserve American jobs and innovation.

“The House has taken a stand for American leadership in medical device innovation and the nearly half million U.S. jobs it supports. This new ill-conceived tax would force many of our nation’s bright medical technology innovators to lay off workers, move jobs overseas, or worse yet, close their doors altogether. With today’s vote, we show the nation what we can accomplish when we put progress before partisanship. I appreciate the support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and look forward to action in the Senate on this vital bill for American jobs.”  

View video of today’s floor debate.

View video from today’s press conference. 

Listen to Rep. Paulsen’s Radio Interview with WCCO’s Dave Lee. 

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus and the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Working Group.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, and for past segments of Erik's Correspondence Corner, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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