1. Medtech Insight
  2. >>Policy & Regulation
  3. >>Legislation

Handful Of House Health Panelists Support Strong ACA And Device Tax Repeal

 
• By Sue Darcey

On the roster of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees in 2019 are members working toward both support of the Affordable Care Act and repeal of the device tax that helps fund it. Some on the committees, including all of the Democrats, back efforts to strengthen ACA in 2019, while many Democrats declined to repeal the device tax in a key 2018 vote. But 19 members of the panels voted to accomplish both goals.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - February 24, 2015: Photo of united states house of representatives page on a monitor screen through a magnifying glass. - Image

Democrats sitting on the health subpanels of Congress’ Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees already have pledged publicly in the current Congress to stabilize and enhance most provisions of the ACA, in part to offset what they say are attempts by Republicans to dismantle it. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., is a prime example; he promised to “stop the Republican sabotage of the ACA,” in 2019, at a Feb. 27 public briefing in Washington, DC, on the topic of Congress and health-care actions in the coming year. (Also see "US House Preview: Health Panels To Push Device Tax Repeal, Shutdown Contingency Bills In 2019" - Medtech Insight, 5 March, 2019.)

Simultaneously, some Democrats (57 out of 193 Dems in the entire House) and almost every GOP House member wanted to...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Medtech Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Legislation

FDA Ends Effort To Regulate LDTs By Rescinding Final Rule

 
• By Brian Bossetta

Just a year and four months after publishing a final rule that would have allowed it to regulate laboratory developed tests as medical devices, the US FDA has rescinded the controversial measure, finally putting an end to the saga.

MDUFA VI Talks Begin with Familiar Priorities: Innovation, Transparency, Safety

 
• By Elizabeth Orr

At an Aug. 4 public meeting on MDUFA VI, FDA officials, industry representatives, and patient advocates outlined their priorities for the next user fee agreement, highlighting goals such as improved transparency, streamlined reviews, enhanced safety measures, and greater patient involvement.

Bipartisan Senate Bill Would Give Patients ‘True Price Tag’ Prior To Care

 
• By Brian Bossetta

Pending legislation seeks to address what the sponsors argue is a lack of transparency in medical billing. If enacted, the bill would provide patients with the costs of procedures and medications before receiving them. A data collection expert discusses what the bill could mean for patients.

NHS Orders Halt On Unapproved AI Scribes, Vendors Rush To Self-Certify

 
• By Natasha Barrow

NHS England's national chief clinical information officer issued a cease and desist on unapproved ambient voice technology and AI scribes. The move caused confusion among AVT vendors and went beyond joint MHRA/NHS guidance. IMed consultant Ben Austin shares his perspective.

More from Policy & Regulation

Inaccurate Carbon Dioxide Readings Prompt Class I Recall Of Draeger Ventilation Filters

 
• By Brian Bossetta

Draeger Medical has recalled certain SafeStar and TwinStar ventilation filters after reports of serious injuries caused by misleading carbon dioxide readings.

UK MHRA Ready To Evolve Approach To In-House Manufactured Medtech

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The UK device regulator wants to align health institution device exemptions with its evolving policy of agile regulation of medtech in the British market. It asks stakeholders to complete a survey by Sept. 15.

FDA Panel Supports Dermal Fillers For Décolletage Use

 
• By Elizabeth Orr

An FDA panel has endorsed the use of dermal fillers for décolletage, but warned of patient safety concerns. The filler can cause complications with future imaging and pregnancy or breastfeeding, panelists said. Regulatory measures and patient studies are recommended for better outcomes.