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Rep.Paulsen Questions HHS Secretary Sebelius on Stifling Medical Device Tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2011

Rep.Paulsen Questions HHS Secretary Sebelius on Stifling Medical Device Tax
Paulsen Introduced Bill in January to Eliminate Job-Destroying Measure

Paulsen questions Secretary Sebelius on Administration’s commitment to innovation and growth, click here to watch.

Washington, D.C.Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius during a hearing of the Ways & Means Committee.  Paulsen cited the devastating effects that the $20 billion medical device tax would have on Minnesota companies.  Secretary Sebelius was asked to testify before the House Committee on Ways and Means regarding the President’s FY 2012 budget.

“A $20 billion tax hike on medical device manufacturers will destroy jobs, stifle innovation, increase costs for patients while decreasing access to these life-saving technologies,” said Paulsen. “In order to encourage innovation, as the Secretary and President have indicated in the recently introduced budget, we must repeal this tax and put in place policies that will lead to the further competitiveness of our American innovators.  This will create jobs and bring us a step closer towards providing real health care reform for all Americans.  The Secretary’s testimony is another example of the disconnect between the Administration’s rhetoric and actions. This country deserves better.”

In the first month of the 112th Congress, Representative Paulsen introduced the ‘Protect Medical Innovation Act’, bipartisan legislation to repeal the medical device tax that passed last year as part of the President’s health care law.  The legislation currently has 70 cosponsors.  More information on the ‘Protect Medical Innovation Act’ can be found here.

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

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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