Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Despite Veto Threat, House Approves Bill To Repeal Health Law's Medical Device Tax
The House on Thursday easily backed repeal of a tax on the medical device industry. But President Obama has threatened to veto the bill, which would add more than $24 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. With not all House members voting Thursday, that chamber's 280-140 vote fell one vote shy of a veto-proof majority to repeal the tax, which helps pay for the expansion of health insurance under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. (Groppe, 6/18)
The House defied a White House veto threat and voted Thursday to abolish a tax on medical device makers as a group of Democrats uncharacteristically joined Republicans in moving to kill part of President Barack Obama's health care law. Thursday's 280-140 House vote was exactly the two-thirds margin that supporters would need to override a presidential veto. The real suspense will come in the Senate, which voted overwhelmingly to repeal the levy in 2013, but in a nonbinding roll call lacking the political pressures of a veto showdown. (Fram, 6/18)
The House on Thursday voted to repeal a medical device tax that Minnesota鈥檚 medical technology sector lobbied extensively to kill. ... The legislation鈥檚 lack of an alternative revenue source is a sticking point with President Obama and many Democrats because the device tax helps pay for the Affordable Care Act. Without another funding stream, repeal would add a projected $24.4 billion to the federal deficit over 10 years. (Spencer, 6/18)
Supporters of the bill say the 2.3 percent tax, which affects about 7,000 manufacturers nationwide, is holding back innovation on important devices like X-ray machines and ventilators. 鈥淥nly in Washington would you impose a tax on life-saving medical technology and think you will actually reduce healthcare costs," said Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), the bill鈥檚 lead sponsor. The House first voted to repeal the tax passed in 2012. While the bill does not include a plan to make up for the lost revenue from repealing the tax, supporters believe it stands a chance of clearing both chambers now that the Senate is controlled by Republicans. (Ferris, 6/18)
