Lobbyists Protest Possible Health Care Tax
By Ceci Connolly
He hasn't even released his health care reform bill yet, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus already is hearing from unhappy lobbyists. Trade groups representing medical device makers, convenience stores, biologic drug makers and radiologists have sent a letter to the Montana Democrat criticizing a $4 billion tax on devices and diagnostics that Baucus reportedly intends to include in sweeping health care legislation.
"The tax would be assessed against a wide variety of products ranging from a pair of eyeglasses to a toothbrush to a stethoscope to test kits for diseases like HIV and diabetes to an artificial heart valve to advanced diagnostic equipment," according to the letter.
Baucus hopes to release a draft of his bill as early Tuesday. To read the entire letter, click here.
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September 14, 2009; 6:22 PM ET
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Posted by: cautious | September 15, 2009 3:44 AM | Report abuse
'Ibid' II
Posted by: edtroyhampton | September 17, 2009 2:35 PM | Report abuse
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Ceci don't you find it odd that Baucus has included these fees as an absolute number like $4 billion a year.
Wasn't all the revenue streams suppose to keep pace with medical inflation? This is as far from keeping pace as you can get.
Don't you find this odd, do you realize the value of this revenue stream will be greatly eroded by health care inflation and be basically meaningless in 10 years.
Why do you accept this crap from politicians and just print it without thinking a little first and reporting things that matter.
Or are you just a cheerleader for Obama, Max Baucus and his six clowns?