MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Medical device lobbying group AdvaMed unveiled its 2013 agenda, highlighting its efforts to "double down" on efforts to repeal the 2.3% medical device tax that took effect at the start of the year.
"This issue is critically important to companies large and small that already are living with the real-world harmful impact this tax is having – including layoffs, cuts in R&D and delayed expansion plans," AdvaMed president & CEO Stephen Ubl said in prepared remarks.
The advocacy group recently issued a declaration that it would also focus on defending the FDA’s medical device review budget from the ongoing negotiations over funding cuts for the federal watchdog agency, efforts that AdvaMed said were in line with its goals to protect the industry.
Medical device groups worked closely with the FDA to develop the a fee program that provides the FDA’s medical device arm with funding while ensuring timely review of new technologies, but those funds may get mixed into the larger budget concerns.
AdvaMed said this week that it’s prepared to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the agency to defend against those cuts.
Video-game practice may improve surgical performance
Surgeons who logged some time playing games on a Nintendo Wii system posted improvements on certain metrics for performing laparascopies, researchers said.
Read more
More consternation over the opaque cost of healthcare
A University of California study highlights "giant price swings" in the cost of care relating to the 10 most common outpatient conditions treated in emergency rooms across the U.S.
Read more
Bariatric surgery helps heal the pancreas
Cleveland Clinic researchers report finding that bariatric surgery helps restore pancreatic function in moderately obese patients by targeting belly fat.
Read more