Halt To Medical Device Tax Praised In Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS -- Leaders from Indiana’s medical device industry and both of the state’s U.S. senators hailed Congress’ passage Friday of a more than $1 trillion spending bill.  The measure temporarily halts a controversial medical device tax.

Senators Joe Donnelly and Dan Coats have long criticized the medical device tax created by the Affordable Care Act, calling for its repeal.  The omnibus spending measure approved by Congress suspends the tax for two years. 

Donnelly, a Democrat, says that suspension will spur growth and innovation in one of Indiana’s biggest industries. Medical Device Manufacturers Council executive director Kathy Heuer praises the measure as one that will help patients and lower healthcare costs.  Cook Group Chairman Steve Ferguson says his company looks forward to working with Congress to permanently eliminate the tax. He says the medical device tax increased Cook’s tax liability by more than 30 percent.