Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) voted today for H.R. 160, theProtect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, which repeals the medical device tax mandated by Obamacare. The provision required a 2.3% excise tax on medical devices such as pacemakers, hospital beds, and artificial joints, be collected at the point of sale.

"This legislation will repeal another disastrous Obamacare mandate that costs Tennesseans jobs, stifles innovation, and raises the price of life-saving medical devices. Repealing the medical device tax is imperative to the millions of Americans who use these devices and the thousands employed in the industry. Our country is the world leader in manufacturing life-saving and life-enhancing treatments, employing more than 9,000 workers in Tennessee and contributing more than $5 billion per year to Tennessee's economy. There is no reason to stifle an industry in which

Tennessee is a world-leader," Blackburn said.

Tennessee ranks 7th among states for the size of its medical device manufacturing industry with Memphis being the second-largest center in the United States.

 

"It is past time this provision goes. I look forward to making certain that we repeal other components of Obamacare and get them off the books," Blackburn said.