Subject: S. 692, the Protect Medical Innovation Act
Dear Senators Toomey and Klobuchar,
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of
Neurological Surgeons (CNS), we are pleased to endorse S. 692, the Protect Medical Innovation Act.
Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that is highly dependent on advances in medical technology. As
such, repealing the medical device tax is among neurosurgery’s top legislative priorities.
Since its inception, the AANS and the CNS have long called for the repeal of the 2.3 percent medical
device excise tax due to our concerns that the tax will adversely affect medical innovation and patient
care. Because of medical technology, patients are living longer, healthier and more productive lives.
Over the past three decades, rapid technological advances have helped increase life expectancy in the
U.S., rates for major diseases have been reduced significantly, and America continues to be a leader in
the development of new therapies and tools for treating deadly or debilitating neurologic conditions such
as stroke, degenerative spine disease, brain aneurysms, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s
Disease, spinal cord injury, brain tumors and epilepsy.
Furthermore, it makes economic sense to repeal the medical device tax permanently. For example,
according to a recent report, as many as 195,000 jobs may be lost due to the tax, either through layoffs
or forgone jobs that would have been created.
Clearly, our health care system needs innovation to improve patient care and save lives. Unfortunately,
this tax stifles innovation and reduces patient access to new lifesaving technologies. We, therefore, look
forward to working with you to pass S. 692.
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