House Committee Advances Bills To Repeal Medical Device Tax, Medicare Cost Panel
The House Ways and Means Committee voted Tuesday to repeal two parts of the Affordable Care Act -- the tax on medical devicemakers and the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a yet-to-be-established panel tasked with proposing ways to reduce Medicare spending. The bills are slated to be considered by the full House the week of June 15.
The Hill:
Panel Votes To Repeal ObamaCare Tax
The House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday voted to repeal two pieces of ObamaCare. The committee advanced measures that would repeal the medical device tax and a cost-cutting panel known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Both bills are scheduled to go to the House floor the week of June 15. (Sullivan, 6/2)
The Associated Press:
House Panel Votes To Repeal Health Law's Medical Device Tax
A Republican-run House committee voted Tuesday to repeal a 2.3 percent tax on many medical devices that helps pay for President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The Ways and Means Committee's mostly party-line 25-14 vote came with Republicans complaining that the levy costs jobs and stifles innovation. (6/2)
In other Capitol Hill news -
CQ Healthbeat:
Grassley: Talks Continue On Drugmakers And Patent Appeals
Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley said Tuesday there is not a decision yet on how to address drugmakers’ complaints about an internal dispute process with the Patent and Trademark Office. Grassley's panel is slated to consider its patent litigation bill (S 1137) as a Thursday meeting. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Biotechnology Industry Organization have been pressing to have new language added to the measure, seeking to alter the functions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the PTO. (Young, 6/2)