Taxing Medical Devices Will Keep the U.S. Healthy

Every now and then, a groundswell of support pushes legislation ahead in Congress, often on the grounds that it would provide jobs, increase U.S. exports, stop companies from moving overseas and save small businesses. The members vote, the news media congratulate them for a rare show of bipartisanship, and some interest group walks off happily into the sunset.

That’s how the narrative is playing out for a rapidly advancing bill to repeal a 2.3 percent tax on the sale of medical devices. The tax, due to start in January, is part of President Barack Obama’s health-care reform law. The $116 billion medical-device industry, which makes everything from artificial limbs to advanced imaging equipment, is hoping to derail the tax with a classic lobbying and advertising campaign. It’s been very effective: The House could vote as early as Thursday to withdraw the tax. With several Democratic senators backing the measure, the Senate may follow suit.