Key Races for Medtech: Orrin Hatch vs. Scott Howell for Utah Senate

Six-term U.S Senator Orrin Hatch has been staunchly opposed to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has also spoken out against the medical device tax, calling it unfair and a threat to innovation and improved patient care in the medical industry. He has introduced legislation supporting the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act, which would repeal the medical device tax. Should he be reelected, Hatch is a heavy favorite to become head of the Senate Finance Committee.

Democratic candidate Scott Howell supports health care reform but has expressed concern over the ACA’s mandate and whether insurance exchanges will be effective for cost control in medical care. He encourages Utah to consider the Innovation Waiver, which allows states to opt out if they can do a better job of providing health care to its citizens, to protect citizens should insurance premiums skyrocket.

Hatch and Howell have diverged on other key policy issues including education spending and energy policy – all ultimately related to the state budget. While the candidates have framed this as a competition of age and experience, Utah voters may swing toward the candidate they feel will be most effective in the current economy