Congressman Rokita Stops at OrthoPediatrics to Discuss Medical Device Tax
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
United States Fourth Congressional District Representative Todd Rokita made a stop at OrthoPediatrics in Warsaw Tuesday night to discuss the medical device tax.
A 2.3 percent excise tax on certain medical devices is scheduled to take effect in January 2013, as part of the Affordable Care Act. Rokita met with Nick Deeter, OrthoPediatrics founder and chairman.
Also in attendance were Mark Throdahl, OrthoPediatrics president, and local orthopedic leaders and business owners.
Rokita received a tour of OrthoPediatrics, 2850 Frontier Drive, Warsaw, before meeting with local orthopedic and business leaders to discuss the medical device tax.
Prior to his service in Congress, Rokita served as Indiana’s Secretary of State from 2003 to the end of 2010. He became a congressman in January 2011.
Rokita currently serves on the Medical Technology Caucus.
In January 2011 he worked with Erik Paulsen, House Medical Device Caucus chairman, to introduce HR 436, the Health Care Cost Reduction Act, which would fully repeal the medical device tax.
On June 7 the House passed the bill and legislation now awaits action before the U.S. Senate.
Rokita learned about OrthoPediatrics Tuesday.
The business focuses on developing anatomically appropriate implants for children suffering from orthopedic conditions.
The implants are used for children who have broken bones from trauma from accidents and those who have deformed limbs.
The business also makes a spine product for children who have scoliosis.
OrthoPediatrics was formally established in 2006 by Deeter.
Deeter said Rokita has been a proponent of small businesses and trying to help eliminate Obamacare.
Deeter said the medical device tax on orthopedic companies is detrimental and hurts innovation.
“Instead of hiring new people we will have to pay this tax,” Deeter said.
“New ideas won’t come to market because we are paying these taxes to the federal government and it limits the amount of people we can hire.”
Up until the 2010, the OrthoPediatrics product range was only available in the USA.
The company now does business in 42 countries.
Rokita discussed the medical device tax.
“I have journeyed across the state carrying a message of medical device repeal,” Rokita said.
Rokita said orthopedic companies such as OrthoPediatrics is manufacturing for the 21st century.
“We have an aging population who can benefit from implants,” Rokita said.
“These devices not only increase the quality of life, but can reduce the fiscal stress of medical expenses on Medicare and Medicaid.”
Also during Rokita’s visit he shared information on The Fund For American Exceptionalism he started.
The fund is to support congressional candidates who support repealing the medical device tax.
For more information on OrthoPediatrics visit orthopediatrics.com
