Drive to Repeal Medical Device Tax No Slam Dunk in Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress have never had a better chance of repealing the tax on medical devices.
Though they're backed by Democrats from states where that industry provides lots of jobs, abolishing the tax won't be easy.
That's because of a possible veto by President Barack Obama.
In addition, some Democrats say they'd back eliminating the tax only if the estimated $29 billion it would raise over a decade is replaced by money from elsewhere.
No one has yet proposed an alternative source of money that gets widespread support.
The tax was created under Obama's health care overhaul to help finance part of that expansion of medical coverage.
Repeal supporters say the tax is costing jobs. Opponents worry it's a GOP effort to erode the health care law.
(Story by: Alan Fram, The Associated Press)