Will Republicans, Democrats unite to permanently repeal the medical device tax?

Michael Walter | | Radiology Business | Policy & Regulations
Medical societies are asking Congress to be involved in Medicare reform efforts.

The 2.3 percent medical device tax, originally implemented as a piece of the Affordable Care Act, is currently suspended until 2020. Could 2019 be the year it gets repealed for good?

The Oklahoman published an editorial this week on this very subject, stating that the tax’s impact “is so undeniably bad” that both Republicans and Democrats, including 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have worked to repeal it.

“If a tax is so destructive that Congress feels compelled to ‘temporarily’ suspend it year after year, doesn't that suggest it would be better to approve permanent repeal of the tax?” the editorial board asked. “Such is the case for the federal medical device tax, and there's reason to hope repeal is one area where bipartisan agreement can result in bipartisan action.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the medical device tax back in July 2018, but there has been no more progress on the issue.

Click below to read the full editorial.

Bipartisanship possible on medical device tax repeal

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

Related Content

Bipartisan lawmakers seek to increase funding for mobile CT lung cancer screening
FDA recalls real-time glucose monitors after 56 injuries
Patients who visit providers via telemedicine undergo significantly fewer imaging exams
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes CPT code, $1,000 payment amount for imaging AI software
American College of Radiology assembles experts to investigate economics of AI
ASNC lobbies Congress to curb prior authorization, oppose AUC mandates and embrace payment reform

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
FDA-cleared software increases throughput for flurpiridaz back-to-back rest-stress imaging

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

Health Imaging
MRI projectile incident likely to result in a 'seven-figure sum' repair bill for hospital

News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.