Klobuchar Escalates Push To Repeal Obamacare Tax

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

SAHIL KAPUR APRIL 22, 2013, 12:40 PM

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is calling on congressional leaders to find some way — any way — to repeal a $30 billion piece of Obamacare after a symbolic Senate vote last month showed broad bipartisan support for her cause.

Thirty-four Democrats and every Republican voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s 2.3 percent sales tax on medical devices. Klobuchar has since stepped up her heavy lifting for the device industry, which has a strong presence in her home state and has fought the tax tooth and nail, calling for repeal by echoing familiar GOP complaints that the provision was added to the bill abruptly and without full consideration of the consequences.

“Senators have started to see that medical device tax was put in, I would say, somewhat suddenly in that bill, and was set at a level that people hadn’t determined the effect it would have,” Klobuchar told reporters on Capitol Hill late last week. “That there are a lot of people who have now seen that it should either be repealed or reduced. That vote was support for that position, and we now need to move on to negotiate it as some kind of a budget deal.”

Klobuchar, the leading Democratic proponent of repealing what she calls a “hefty tax,” concedes that repeal would “clearly need an offset” and would likely have to be a part of a broader package — such as a budget deal, tax reform or separate health care legislation.

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/amy-klobuchar-repeal-medical-device-tax.php?ref=fpa

[SoapBox]

1. Is she just another DINO? Or

a big industry puppet?

[geek tragedy]

3. Hometown industry. Lots of med devices made in Minnesota.

And there's not a single Senator that doesn't pull this crap, unfortuantely, except for Bernie Sanders.

[karynnj]

15. Sanders is not an exception - he will vote for things important to Vermont

Here, the medical devices companies benefit from more people getting their devices. The current tax in the bill is only half of what was in the original Baucus bill. Kerry, who was on the Finance Committee was able to get it cut in half - and at that time, many of the companies stopped their opposition. (Massachusetts is another big state for medical devices.)

The question is what will replace that revenue. Only with some insight on that can you really decide if this small tax is better or worse than the alternatives.

[dflprincess]

17. She is, however, a moderate Republican despite the "D" after her name

She was pretty much shoved down our throats by the DSCC and the state and national party machines in 2006 over a more progressive candidate. (And in violation of state party rules - they aren't suppose to push one candidate over another until there is an endorsement at the state convention.)

She's also very adept at avoiding taking a position on any controversial issue and her staff writes the best non-response, response emails that I've ever read. Though I don't get them anymore. Ever since I posted on a DFL Facebook page (using my real name) that I've never regretted voting for anyone more than I do Klobuchar I don't get responses from her office. Broke my heart that the Greens didn't run anyone against her last fall.

[azurnoir]

8. In Mn she seems almost as popular with Repukes as she is with Democrats

I was so hoping another Democrat would run instead of her, she made her name 2 ways

she cut her teeth as Hennepin County prosecutor by sending as many young males of color to prison as she could

and

Name recognition her Dad was a very popular local sports writer for the Strib

[heaven05]

16. hmmmmmmm

Some were guilty I'm sure yet I wonder how many weren't guilty? But it doesn't matter to Mn voters, so doesn't matter. Another prime example of the greed inherent in our capitalistic system of governance. Greatest country in the world. right.

[dflprincess]

18. I have it from a reliable source that when she was running for Senate the first time (2006)

AFSCME members from Hennepin County were in tears asking the union not to endorse her.

BTW her dad, Jim, was more of a general columnist, not just sports. I heard him give a speech once while standing in for her on the campaign trail. It sounded like something a Farmer-Laborite would have given (of course he did grow up on the Range). After hearing that I decided the DFL endorsed the wrong Klobuchar - and I wondered if Amy knew what he was saying.

[NickB79]

10. Medtronic is based in Minnesota

And the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic work closely to develop new medical devices and technology. It's a huge source of jobs and money in our state.

[kardonb]

14. DINO

just another Donna Qichote .

[leftyohiolib]

2. repeal would “clearly need an offset” just not in my backyard. says amy

[GitRDun]

4. WTF?

Another example of everyone wants something for nothing! Senator Klobuchar allegedly wants health care for the less fortunate in her district, as long as someone else has to be inconvenienced?

The culture of selfishness in this country is just appalling....well go ahead and pass it Senator!

These fools who keep trying to weasel out of any responsibility to the country will just push it to single payer faster...

[Fla Dem]

5. Oh I so like Amy Klouchar, but this just rots my socks.

Just another politician looking out for just her state's interests instead of the greater good. All for a lousy 2.3% sales tax, which on a $100,000 device would be just an extra $2300. Yes, yes, I know, there is probably state sales tax too, and maybe some other ancillary charges, but SFW. The clinic will just raise their charges astronomically high to make up the difference. At a $10 raise in cost to the patient, (which is then covered by insurance) the extra 2.3% tax would be paid off after the first 230 patients.

I am just getting so disappointed with the Democrats I thought had our backs.

[Capn Sunshine]

6. FRANKEN is on board with this as well.

Minnesota is home to many medical device manufacturers and their peripheral businesses.

But are they implying that this tax will so alter their Profit structure they will close down and go to Texas?

The whole thing could be covered by a slight reduction in their C-class salaries.

[dflprincess]

19. They are implying that the tax will cost a lot of jobs in Minnesota

and the Repukes are really pounding that drum.

[RC]

7. Another reason why we need Single Payer, Universal Health Care.

What we'd save in health insurance premiums, would more than cover the cost of country wide Single Payer, Universal Health Care and put some money in our pockets too.

We elected our "Leaders". Shouldn't they represent us, those who voted for them, and not cave to those that are working against us?

[Plucketeer]

12. The answer is pretty straightforward and simple....

"We elected our "Leaders". Shouldn't they represent us, those who voted for them, and not cave to those that are working against us?"

They would be all too happy to...... IF...... >WE< could pay their whole elections and reelections tabs. In this case, there's the unmistakable odiferousness of corporate money where common sense oughta be!

[AAO]

13. And get public election funding - nobody gets pestered for money 10 times a day

[srican69]

9. So is our Favorite - Elizabeth Warren - behind this (Boston Scientific is from Mass) NT

[1ProudAtheist]

11. 2.3 % Is Nothing

Compared to the criminal profit margin on medical devices. The best alternative would be to sell directly to the government, and take out all of the middle men who just skim profits and serve no real purpose other than driving up the cost of goods.