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Now sworn in, Katko already sponsoring bill to eliminate medical device tax

Global medical device maker Welch Allyn was granted the first tax break for energy upgrades to part of its Skaneateles headquarters.
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Global medical device maker Welch Allyn was granted the first tax break for energy upgrades to part of its Skaneateles headquarters.

Newly sworn-in Rep. John Katko has already attached his name to an effort to repeal the medical device tax.

The tax on medical equipment manufactured in the United States was tacked on to the Affordable Care Act as a way to pay for the health care overhaul. But it’s angered device makers, like Welch Allyn in Skaneateles. The company attributed recent layoffs to the tax’s impact.

Katko, R-Camillus, is a co-sponsor on a renewed effort to repeal the tax. The action came on the Republican’s first full day representing central New York in Washington. 

Credit Ryan Delaney / WRVO
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WRVO file photo
Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus).

"It was nice for me, because I was given the opportunity to take a leadership role amongst the freshman class," he said in an interview. 

Katko’s predecessor, Democrat Dan Maffei, had sponsored an earlier version of the same bill, but it failed in the Senate. Now the upper chamber is also led by Republicans.

"I’m looking forward to getting it to the president’s desk and hoping he will sign it," said Katko. "I don’t know what he’ll do, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to get to the president’s desk."

The device tax will raise about $30 billion over the next decade. But the bill Katko is sponsoring doesn’t offer up a way to make up the difference. Katko says he’s confident though there are changes to the health care law or savings elsewhere to balance the lost funds.

"It’s a lot of money to make up, yes, but it’s absolutely doable," he said.

Katko says he’s confident they can find offsets, though he didn’t offer specifics.