2009 Annual Report

TO OUR MEMBERS

The power of MDMA membership was evident in 2009. Change in Presidential Administrations, the focus on Health Care Reform and the ongoing concerns about the economy all contributed to an extremely active year for MDMA.  Given the significant challenges facing our industry, the MDMA membership joined together to develop and promote policies that address the critical needs of our member companies. Our medical technology innovation ecosystem is under extraordinary pressure and MDMA worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure that the environment improves in the future.

MDMA worked to educate policy makers and the public about the role emerging medical technology companies have on patient care, innovation and the economy. This included a white paper released by MDMA and the National Venture Capital Association highlighting the valuable contributions that have resulted from innovators and investors working together.  MDMA also launched an ad campaign about the important impact our industry has on jobs in the US.

Our industry outreach efforts expanded in 2009. MDMA enjoyed record attendance at its four major, annual educational programs. MDMA also traveled to several parts of the US to hold regional meetings that provided opportunities for medical technology executives to interact with one another as well as hear from senior government and elected officials. 

MDMA remains the only consistent voice for innovative, entrepreneurial medical technology companies in Washington.  Specifically, MDMA met with the new FDA Commissioner to discuss the importance of ensuring patients have timely access to safe and effective products, advocated for more than $500 million in additional appropriations for the FDA and continued to lobby against any additional industry user fees.  We emphasized the important role innovation will play in solving our nation’s health care problems and eventually lowering the overall cost of care.   MDMA was successful in lobbying for changes that ensure comparative effectiveness research will focus on “clinical effectiveness” and not “cost-effectiveness”. The association also led consistent opposition to the medical device tax. Our board and members participated in numerous congressional fly-ins to discuss the devastating impact this tax would have on our industry, especially emerging companies.  In addition, MDMA successfully advocated for changes to the damages provisions in the Patent Reform Act. Finally, MDMA continued its efforts to ensure that patients and caregivers have open access to safe and effective technologies by calling on Congress to fix the group purchasing organization (GPO) system.

As we look ahead to 2010, the changing economic and regulatory landscape will require our industry to proactively engage policy makers and communicate to the public the important role our industry plays related to improving patient care and improving our economy. 

We appreciate the ongoing support of our more than 225 member companies and encourage companies who are currently not members of MDMA to join us in our efforts. 

Sincerely,

Joe E. Kiani                                       Mark Leahey

Chairman & CEO, Masimo             President & CEO, MDMA
Chairman, MDMA