This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I work in a large manufacturing plant in Ogden that produces critical supplies used in kidney dialysis treatment. The federal health care reform law includes a tax on medical devices that could hurt our manufacturing plant, which employs 1,600 local workers.
We make lifesaving products for 80 percent of the kidney dialysis patients in the country. The new health law will slam companies like this with a 2.3 percent excise tax that is supposed to help pay for health reform, but it unfairly punishes our customers and our 43-year-old manufacturing plant.
My company expanded its Utah facility by 50 percent since 2006. With a recession knocking at the door, it created highly desirable high-tech jobs. This new medical device tax will jeopardize hard-earned growth and innovation. Uncontrollable cost increases force manufacturers to consider sending jobs overseas where manufacturing is less regulated. I don't want to see that happen in Utah!
Health care reform should not decimate an industry known for lifesaving care. Thankfully, Sen. Orrin Hatch and his colleagues have introduced a bill to repeal the medical device tax. If Utah residents really want to fix the health reform law, this is a good place to start.
Steve Marler
Clinton