Elise Stefanik: “I strongly support H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act introduced by Mr. Paulsen, and in March I was proud to…”

“I strongly support H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act introduced by Mr. Paulsen, and in March I was proud to lead a bipartisan letter by 43 freshman lawmakers to Speaker Boehner calling for a vote to repeal the medical device tax. According to a 2014 industry survey, the tax resulted in employment reductions of 14,000 industry workers in 2013 and years prior to implementation of this tax, with approximately an additional 4,500 jobs lost in 2014. Furthermore, if we don't repeal this tax, the industry will forgo hiring of nearly 20,500 employees over the next 5 years. Mr. Speaker, this important bipartisan legislation will repeal the Affordable Care Act's medical device tax that is limiting access to health care devices that North Country families need and undermining the medical device industry that is so important to our local economy. Repealing the medical device tax will help our small businesses create jobs for North Country families and protect employees who are currently at risk from this job-killing tax. This an extremely important issue for my district, especially in Warren County, home of what is called ``catheter valley'' because of the numerous catheter manufacturers. I commend the House for bringing this important legislation to the floor, and I urge all Members to support this measure.”