U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., continues to speak in favor of the Affordable Care Act, but a company Baldwin visited on Friday wants to end a tax that helps pay for the health care program.
Baldwin toured the headquarters of GE Healthcare in Wauwatosa and met with top officials of the medical device maker. She said GE can be one of the beneficiaries of the health care law.
“One of the motivating principles behind passing it is allowing people to have health coverage,” said Baldwin. “So for doctors, for hospitals, for medical device makers, it’s more people with coverage – more people who can pay for health care services.”
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GE says one of the topics it discussed with Baldwin behind closed doors is the firm’s opposition to the 2.3 percent federal excise tax on medical devices that helps pay for health care reform. Some Wisconsin lawmakers support ending the tax if they can find other revenue sources.
The Center of Budget and Policy Priorities says the tax should not be repealed, because other some other industries gaining from the health care law also face new levies. The center also argues the tax will not stall innovation in medical devices.
Editor’s Note: GE executives declined our request to speak about the Affordable Care Act.
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