Yesterday, August 16, 2018, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and leaders of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) convened small business leaders and healthcare manufacturers for a roundtable at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. The group discussed ways to work together to cut red tape, lower taxes, ease access to capital, and advance common-sense policies that make doing business in New Jersey more affordable and help small businesses and manufacturers grow. Today’s participants were focused in the medical and life sciences sectors as these businesses plan a key role in the Garden State. Twelve of the world’s top medical technology companies have facilities in New Jersey.

In Paramus, Gottheimer was joined by business leaders including Glenmark Pharmaceuticals North America President Robert Matsuk, SBA Region II Regional Administrator Steve Bulger, SBA Region 2 Advocate Christine Myers, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) CEO John Kennedy, NJMEP Vertical Engagements Manager Bob Salamone, and NJMEP Life Sciences Sales Leader Peter Russo.

“New Jersey’s hospitals, biopharmaceuticals, and medical device companies are a cornerstone of our community and our state. Roughly 900,000 New Jerseyans play a role in our life sciences and healthcare sector. And, in 2015, more than half of the new FDA drug approvals came from firms with a New Jersey footprint. The heart of medical innovation runs through New Jersey,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Yet, in many cases, New Jersey’s high taxes and overly complex, burdensome regulatory policies hold back our businesses, workers, and innovation. That’s why, in Congress, I’m dedicated to working across the aisle to lower taxes, cut red tape, and improve access to capital, including by voting to fully repeal the devastating Medical Device Tax and halt the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) from taking effect. And that’s why I’m so grateful to the SBA, NJMEP, and our small businesses for joining me today. I encourage any New Jersey business facing red tape to contact me.”

“We thank Congressman Gottheimer for joining us today at our regulatory forum for healthcare manufacturers. The ability for small businesses to voice their concerns directly to a federal representative and a federal agency is incredibly important in order to ensure that small businesses’ voices are heard and that we can help them. Any small businesses dealing w federal regulatory concerns should contact us at the SBA Office of Advocacy,” said SBA Region 2 Advocate Christine Myers.

Last month, Gottheimer joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle to cut taxes for North Jersey families, seniors, and businesses. Gottheimer cosponsored the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2018, a bill that repeals the devastating 2.3 percent Medical Device Tax on life-saving products like pacemakers, artificial joints, and innovative equipment. Gottheimer also voted to pass legislation that will delay the Health Insurance Tax (HIT), a tax that threatens North Jersey seniors, businesses, and everyone that purchases insurance.