On the recordJune 7, 2012
It's now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the very distinguished Member from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum). Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for the time. Mr. Speaker, I want the Affordable Care Act to be fully implemented for the benefit of all Americans. I also support a healthy growing medical device industry in Minnesota and across America. I support eliminating this medical device tax, which should never have been included in the Affordable Care Act. But at the same time, I strongly oppose the offset in this bill. This Tea Party Republican-controlled House has voted over and over again to eliminate health reform's protections and benefits, denying millions of Americans access to lifesaving care, including medical devices. The Republican goal is to kill health care reform; my goal is to strengthen it. Today, I will vote to send this bill to the Senate, where I know a responsible offset can be found. My two Minnesota Senators are committed to repealing this tax, and they will find an offset that does no harm. Eliminate this tax and strengthen health care for all Americans, that's my goal.
