Continuing Resolution Delays Medical Device Tax by 2 Years

President Donald Trump late Monday signed a continuing resolution to keep the government open for three more weeks and to again delay a tax on medical device companies that briefly took effect at the beginning of 2018.

The 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices will not apply during calendar years 2018 and 2019.

Scott Whitaker, CEO of industry group AdvaMed, said in a statement: “Congress' action – just days before medical technology innovators were set to start cutting checks to the IRS – means funds will not be diverted from current investments in jobs, capital improvements and research into new treatments & cures.”

He also called the delay of the tax, which had been originally created by the Affordable Care Act, “only an interim step toward the truly needed action by Congress to fully repeal this tax.”