Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Ben McAdams (D-UT-4) sent a bipartisan letter to House Democrat and Republican leadership, signed by 35 House freshman, urging prompt action to end the 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices. The current tax moratorium will expire December 31, unless Congress acts to block its implementation.

Recognizing the importance of this issue to Utah’s medical device innovators, McAdams led the effort to gather support for the letter from his freshman colleagues. The letter focused solely on new Members of Congress in an effort to add their collective voice to the many Republicans and Democrats who have long opposed the tax.

“I’m working with both sides of the aisle to permanently repeal the medical device tax,” said Representative McAdams. “It unfairly penalizes innovative companies working to provide life-saving medical solutions and to help doctors and hospitals achieve better health outcomes for patients.”

“BioUtah applauds Representative McAdams for championing this letter, said Kelvyn Cullimore, President and CEO of BioUtah. “Building support from new Members of Congress who may not fully understand this harmful tax is vital to advancing our cause.”

Several months ago, the Protect Medical Innovation Act  was introduced in both the House and Senate to permanently repeal the tax. Utah’s congressional delegation has been steadfast in backing repeal. Representatives Mike Bishop (R-UT-1), Chris Stewart (R-UT-2), John Curtis (R-UT-3), Ben McAdams (D-UT-4) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) have all co-sponsored the legislation.

On June 14, BioUtah submitted comments to a Health Tax Task Force of the Senate Finance Committee urging action to rescind the tax once and for all.