Companies that make medical devices are concerned that they are going to have to carry a heavy tax burden under a health care reform plan proposed by Senator Max Baucus. Baucus is the Senate Finance Committee Chairman.

His plan would place fees on medical device manufacturers to help pay for health care reform.

Andy Besser is the manager of a prosthetics and orthotics company in Davenport. Many of the components used to make artificial arms and legs  would be taxed under the Baucus plan. Joints for knee braces and prosthetic feet that the company orders from other manufacturers would be included in that tax.

That added cost will be passed on to his company and in turn to the consumer. He says as expenses go up, it might be difficult for some medical device companies to keep people on board as well as hire and expand businesses. Besser says it's going to become just that much tougher.