Sen. Brown To Boston Scientific Employees: We Must Repeal Medical Device Tax Before It Wipes Out Jobs

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) visited Boston Scientific Corporation to meet with employees and discuss the impact of a new federal tax on medical device manufacturers that goes into effect in 2013. Under Obamacare, a new 2.3% excise tax will be imposed on revenues made by medical device manufacturers--an industry that employs nearly 25,000 people in Massachusetts.

"Massachusetts faces lower unemployment than the national average thanks to our strong medical device manufacturing industry," said Senator Brown. "Besides providing good paying jobs, these companies make the innovative products and conduct the cutting edge research that save lives. We must repeal the new medical device tax before it wipes out thousands of Bay State jobs and throws a wet blanket this very important industry."

"Senator Brown has been a consistent proponent of the medical technology industry and vocal opponent of the device tax since his election to the U.S. Senate. We appreciate his leadership on issues critical to the economy in Massachusetts and, most importantly, to patients who benefit from medical breakthroughs companies like Boston Scientific are committed to bringing to market," said Hank Kucheman, Chief Executive Officer, Boston Scientific Corporation.

On February 3, 2011, Senator Brown introduced S. 262, the bill to repeal the medical device tax. Since then, the senator has been a leading voice on repealing the tax and has toured medical device companies in Massachusetts to highlight the economic damage that the tax would impose on Bay Staters.

On May 22, 2012, Senator Brown introduced an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act (S. 3187) to repeal the medical device tax.

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