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US Rep. Markey: I back medical device tax repeal

MA--Medical Device Tax/144
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US Rep. Markey: I back medical device tax repeal

BOSTON (AP) - Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful, congressman Edward Markey, says he would have sided with a majority of senators in voting to strip away a portion of President Obama's landmark health care law.

The Senate voted 79-20 last week to repeal a 2.3 percent sales tax on medical devices such as catheters and pacemakers. The tax was intended to help to finance coverage for the uninsured.

Markey said he would have voted to repeal the tax as long as there was money from another source to cover the lost revenue.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has faulted the Senate, saying the tax was a compromise and the Senate initially wanted a higher tax.

Among those voting to eliminate the tax were Democratic Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren and William "Mo" Cowan.

Medical device companies employ nearly 24,000 people in Massachusetts.