Congresswoman McCollum States Strong Support of Affordable Care Act and Eliminating the Medical Device Tax

For Immediate Release: June 7, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

The Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012 (H.R.436)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) voted in support of legislation that eliminates a 2.3 percent excise tax on companies that manufacture medical devices. This medical device tax was part of the Affordable Care Act, which Congress passed in 2010.

Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement.

“I want the Affordable CareAct to be fully implemented for the benefit of all Americans. I also support a healthy and growing medical device industry in Minnesota and across America. I support eliminating this medical device tax, which should never have been included in the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, I strongly oppose the offset in this bill.

“This Tea Party Republican controlled House has voted over and over again to eliminate health reform’s protections and benefits, denying millions of Americans access to life saving care, including medical devices. The Republican goal is to kill healthcare reform; my goal is to strengthen it.

“Today, I will vote to send this bill to the Senate where I know a responsible offset can be found that will not hurt any citizen. I know my two Minnesota Senators are committed to repealing this tax and they will work to find an offset that does no harm.

“Let’s eliminate this tax and strengthen health care for all Americans.”

Today, Congresswoman McCollum joined Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) to introduce a bill to eliminate the medical device tax by closing subsidies for oil and gas companies. In addition, to fully offsetting the cost of eliminating the medical device tax, this bill will reduce the deficit by $3 billion over ten years.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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