Senate Bill Would Nix Device Tax, Offer Funding Alternative

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has introduced a bill that would repeal the $20 billion device tax in the healthcare reform bill and differs from other legislative efforts to strike down the tax by offering a funding alternative. The bill, S. 262, calls for $39 billion in discretionary appropriated funds to be set aside to make up for the loss of revenue caused by repeal of the tax. While Brown is already a co-sponsor on other repeal bills, he noted the need for a bill to repeal the tax without increasing the deficit. Previous bills have failed in part because they offered no alternative funding to help pay for healthcare reforms.
Devices & Diagnostics Letter