"February 21, 2014
 
 
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C., 20500
 
 
Dear President Obama:
 
Thank you for choosing to visit the Twin Cities next Wednesday to discuss the economy. The Twin Cities has the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation and a vibrant and diverse small business community. We also are home to one of the largest ecosystems within the Medical Technology Industry, with over 400 companies employing more than 34,000 people. This industry is an American success story, but it is being hit especially hard by the Medical Device Tax that passed as part of the Affordable Care Act.
 
I regularly have the opportunity to visit with many of these companies that are working to discover the next medical breakthrough. The first-hand stories from these doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and employees are the reason I am working so hard to repeal the Medical Device Tax. I strongly encourage you to visit any of the hundreds of medical technology companies in Minnesota to hear their stories for yourself when you visit on Wednesday.
 
The Medical Device Tax hits smaller companies hardest. Because of the heavy investment in research and development and the long regulatory and approval process required to develop a life-saving device, it takes many companies close to a decade to become profitable, yet they are required to pay this excise tax on their gross revenue, not profit.
 
A recent study showed 33,000 jobs have been lost and over 100,000 additional jobs are at risk. Because of this tax, companies are laying off workers, cutting back on research and development, and relocating or expanding manufacturing abroad. Repealing this tax would surely keep high quality manufacturing jobs here in the United States, a priority you discussed during your State of the Union Address last month.
 
Thankfully, repealing the Medical Device Tax has broad bipartisan support. My bill has 270 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, including over 40 Democrats. While passing its budget proposal last year, 79 Senators voted in favor of repealing this tax. With your support, we can repeal this onerous tax and protect jobs, expand high-tech manufacturing here at home, and create and provide more life-saving and life-changing technology to American patients.
 
Respectfully,

Erik Paulsen
Member of Congress"