Senate backs repeal of health law's medical device tax

The repeal was offered as an amendment to the Senate Democrats' fiscal year 2014 budget plan. Although the vote was largely symbolic, it signals strong opposition to the tax.

The Wall Street Journal: Senate Votes Against Key Health-Law Tax
The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday night to repeal a tax on medical-device sales, despite the fact that the levy helps finance the health-care overhaul. The vote was largely symbolic, but the 79-20 tally signals strong opposition to the 2.3% tax on device sales that went into effect Jan. 1. Even though the levy is meant to help foot the bill for the signature legislative achievement of President Barack Obama's first term, 33 Democrats as well as independent Sen. Angus King of Maine joined Republican senators in voting to repeal the tax. The vote came as an amendment to the Senate Democrats' fiscal year 2014 budget, a partisan tax-and-spending blueprint that stands no chance of passing the GOP-controlled House (Peterson, 3/21).

The Hill: Senate Calls For An End To Medical Device Tax
The Senate on Thursday approved a bipartisan budget amendment calling for the end of a medical device tax enacted as part of President Obama's healthcare reform bill. The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 79 to 20. It was sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) (Wasson,3/21).

Fox News: Bipartisan Push To Repeal Medical Device Tax Gains Traction In Senate
The Senate gave sweeping bipartisan approval Thursday to a proposal by Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., to put senators on record in favor of repealing a tax on medical devices – a key part of President Obama's controversial health care law. The Hatch-Klobuchar amendment to the GOP budget plan is the latest effort to roll back the tax that applies to a range of medical products, from surgical tools to heart devices. It's among several taxes in Obama's 2010 health care overhaul. The amendment passed the Senate by a vote of 79 to 20 (3/22).