House easily votes to repeal tax on medical equipment
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House shrugged off a White House veto threat and voted today to repeal a tax that President Barack Obama's health care law imposed on medical equipment makers.
The Republican-led chamber has voted more than 50 times since 2011 to void all or part of Obama's overhaul, usually along party lines. In this case, Republicans were joined by roughly four dozen Democrats from states where medical devices are made to erase the 2.3 percent tax.
The measure's fate is uncertain in the Senate. Foes of the tax would probably have a difficult time mustering the two-thirds majorities Congress needs to override a veto.
Thursday's 280-140 House vote came as lawmakers brace for a Supreme Court decision as soon as next week that could erase a more vital piece of the 2010 law — federal subsidies millions of Americans use to help buy coverage.
The medical device tax, which took effect two years ago, was designed to help pay for the health care overhaul, which has expanded coverage for millions of people. It is imposed on equipment like artificial hearts and X-ray machines, but not items used by individuals, like eye glasses.