- The Washington Times - Friday, February 1, 2013

Global medical technology firm Smith & Nephew announced Thursday the layoff of almost 100 workers at its Tennessee and Massachusetts plants — and placed blame for the drawdown firmly at the feet of Obamacare.

The London-based company makes orthopedic reconstruction products. It faces a 2.3 percent tax on its medical devices, due to Obamacare mandates, Fox News reports.

In a statement, the company said: “Unfortunately, and in order to absorb this cost burden into or business, this has meant less than 100 positions have been made redundant across various departmental functions in our Tennessee and Massachusetts sites,” according to Fox News.

The company employs more than 11,000 in 90 countries. And it’s not the latest firm to announce cuts due to Obamacare-related cost hikes. In November, Fox New reports, Stryker medical supply company announced cuts of 1,170 jobs — 5 percent of its global force — to help cut costs from Obamacare taxes and mandates.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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