RAMSTAD SPEAKS ON VALUE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), the co-chair of the bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus, spoke at a briefing today on a study showing the impact of medical technology on treatment for serious health conditions.

 “Increasing access to lifesaving medical technology is the chief reason I founded the bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus in 1993, which I am proud to co-chair with my colleague Anna Eshoo,” said Ramstad.  “We achieved a major success in the new Medicare law when we were able to include many of our proposals to increase seniors’ access to medical technology.”

 “This landmark study shows once again that investing in medical technology is good preventive medicine,” said Ramstad.  “Investing in Medical technology is cost-effective, life-enhancing and life-saving.”

 “One aspect of the study highlights the progress we’ve made in the fight against Type 2 diabetes – a disease that affects more than 17 million Americans,” said Ramstad.  “Advances in medical technology and drug delivery are helping us turn the corner on this terrible disease.   We’ve come a long way in the last 30 years.”

 “It should come as no surprise that technologies provide enormous value to patients and society,” said Ramstad.  “That’s why Congress needs to remember that in formulating policies that impact patients’ access to these technologies.”

 Also appearing at the Capitol event were FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan, leading health care researchers and Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson.

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