U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) was among those who voted on Thursday in favor of a measure to repeal a 2.3 percent excise tax on the sale of medical devices.
The tax is part of the Affordable Care Act (AFA).
The House voted in favor of the Medical Innovation Act (H.R. 160), 280-to-140. The majority included 46 Democrats.
“The medical-device tax is punitive policy that holds back more the 6,500 medical-device companies in Florida and across the nation from investing in research and development, building new facilities and creating new jobs,” Crenshaw said. “Instead, the damaging tax stifles innovation, holds back economic growth, and passes higher health care costs on to patients and insurance companies. An industry that produces such life-saving devices as pacemakers, defibrillators and MRIs needs an open road to grow, a road free of harmful taxes. That’s why I voted to eliminate the medical tax, and it’s time for the Senate to follow suit.”
Crenshaw is one of the co-sponsors on this bill. The bill has moved to the U.S. Senate for consideration.