Bill Pascrell: “Sure, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I became highly involved in the medical device issues since 2007 when a number of device…”

“Sure, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I became highly involved in the medical device issues since 2007 when a number of device manufacturers entered into controversial deferred prosecution agreements for providing doctors with kickbacks for using their knee and hip replacement devices. A number of these products ended up being recalled. That is the record. As a result, on the justice side, I have worked to put an end to deferred prosecution agreements that don't hold the bad actors accountable. There are many good companies providing medical devices, but the facts are the facts, and the history is the history, and the culture of this industry needs to be known. I have also worked to improve the safety of medical devices for patients by encouraging the use of clinical data registries. Repealing the device tax is not good policy, Mr. Speaker, and it is not good for our budget--another $24.5 billion added to the deficit. I think if you would ask our ranking member, Mr. Levin, he would give you a precise number as to how much you have increased the deficit in legislation you have provided over the last 6 months. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.”