Almost seven years after it went into effect, the medical device excise tax that has haunted the medtech industry is close to an end. US lawmakers released a last-minute budget agreement to avoid a potential government shutdown that includes a full repeal of the tax and has a high likelihood of passing. By mid-day on 19 December, the consolidated Appropriations bill containing the device tax repeal provision was approved by the US House of Representatives and the Senate, and was headed to President's desk to be signed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, have come to an agreement over a $1.3tn...