Senators Bring Back Medical Technology Caucus

Who says bipartisanship is dead? Senators Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and Amy Kloubchar (D-Minn.) have crossed the aisle to renew a caucus focused on medical technology. They will co-chair the caucus.
 
Clearly, support for the medical device industry seems to be gaining steam on Capitol Hill lately. Both Brown and Klobuchar represent communities where the medical device business has deep roots, pockets and ties—not to mention hundreds of thousands of jobs.
 
The caucus likely will focus much of its upcoming attention on the 2.3 percent excise tax impacting the medical technology sector and changes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 510(k) clearance process for devices.
 
In a written statement, Klobuchar said these high-tech businesses “not only spark medical breakthroughs, they save lives.”
 
“Every day in every state small medical technology companies are driving the innovation agenda we need to compete in a global economy,” she wrote. “I will continue to work to make sure that Minnesota remains a leader in health care innovation by developing innovative products while maintaining patient safety.”
Brown said Massachusetts has more than 200 medical device companies and hundreds of pharmaceutical-related companies, “all of which provide good-paying jobs to thousands of citizens.”
 
Brown echoed Klobuchar’s sentiment.
 
“It is critical that we provide a business environment for them to innovate, grow and thrive,” Brown wrote. “I’m pleased to be the Republican chair of this bipartisan caucus, and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give our medical device and technology companies the tools and resource they need to continue their important work.”
 
The United States is the only net exporter of medical devices and has a $5.4 billion annual trade surplus.
 
The Advanced Medical Technology Association, or AdvaMed—the industry’s largest trade group—was quick to laud the re-launch.
 
“Beyond our contributions to patient care, our industry is the acknowledged world leader and has been an engine of economic growth and a reliable source of high-paying jobs for American workers. But America’s leadership is increasingly challenged by foreign competitors supported by foreign governments who see the economic value that the medical technology industry provides. For American industry to compete successfully in today’s global economy, sound public policy is essential,” Stephen Ubl, AdvaMed’s president said in a prepared release. “Today’s re-launch of the Medical Technology Caucus will help ensure there is a strong bipartisan coalition in the Senate with a special focus on promoting medical technology innovation, patient access to quality care, and the international competitiveness of America’s medical technology industry,”