The 2012 Oregon Bioscience Association’s Government Affairs and Advocacy Priorities and Platform

The Oregon Bioscience Association’s Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors have finalized our 2012 Advocacy Goals and Legislative Priorities. The Committee and Board deemed it key to pursue revenue, health care reform, workforce development and capitalization priorities that are not a heavy burden, due to the projected revenue shortfall anticipated in Oregon’s current, biennial general fund.  The top priorities and specific actions are now posted.  To read the two-page brief,  click here.


Click here to view 2012 Oregon Bio Legislative watch List.

IRS Request for Comments Concerning Excise Tax on Medical Devices

The Affordable Care Act, the new health care reform legislation enacted in early 2010, included some revenue raising provisions, including the new excise tax on sales of taxable medical devices made by the manufacturer or importer of the device after December 31, 2012. The tax is equal to 2.3% of the sale price of any device, defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, intended for humans. The excise tax does not apply to eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and any other medical device determined by the Treasury Secretary to be of a type that is generally purchased by the general public at retail for individual use.