MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Medical device executives will descend on Capitol Hill today to press members of Congress to address the 2.3% medical device tax before it takes effect in January.
Medtech leaders from across the U.S. joined an executive fly-in organized by a trio of industry lobbying groups – the Medical Device Manufacturers Assn., the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance, and the Advanced Medical Technology Assn.
“Without action from Congress, implementation of the medical device tax will cost our economy thousands of high paying jobs,” MITA executive director Gail Rodriguez said in prepared remarks. “These job losses will directly impact patient access to the most advanced, life-saving medical technologies available.”
The fly-in includes executives more than 50 executives from members of the medtech lobbying groups, who will will present lawmakers with a call to action with more than 800 signatures, representing "hundreds of thousands of medical technology jobs," according to a press release.
The letter includes support from physician groups, venture capital firms and other organizations asking the Senate to repeal the 2.3% levy on medical device sales, which device makers will start paying in at the start of next year.
“This damaging tax will force job cuts and investments in tomorrow’s treatments and cures,” AdvaMed president & CEO Stephen Ubl said in prepared remarks. “Continued medical innovation is key to driving public health gains by reducing costs associated with chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity and catalyzing economic growth through healthier more productive people and by creating high quality manufacturing jobs. Simply put healthier lives mean healthy economies.”
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