In the March 15 issue of Medical Device Daily, there were two stories that discussed the medical technology industry in the U.S., and neither of them cast a particularly flattering light on the current state of affairs. In fact, it…
Author Archives: Holland Johnson
Arguments aside, PSA test makes great sense to one who intends to keep on having it done annually
October 26, 2011 – 9:15 AM
By JIM STOMMEN, Medical Device Daily Contributing Writer
Why isn’t more preventative healthcare covered by insurance?
October 21, 2011 – 5:30 PM
I went to see my doctor a few weeks ago for a physical. Since I just turned 40, he recommended that I have a CT scan to check for calcification in my heart valves. Maybe I would have said “no,”…
MedCath’s rise and fall a reflection of the changing realities of a fickle healthcare market
September 14, 2011 – 12:13 PM
Back in the early days of Medical Device Daily – in fact, it might even have been in the relatively brief very early period of time when the new publication was known as Medical Device Week – it’s likely that…
Israel is the land of milk, honey and med-tech
June 3, 2011 – 3:02 PM
When one thinks about countries that are hotbeds for medical technology innovation, Israel would not likely be at the top of anyone’s list. But people in the know will tell you that this small country, with a population of just…
Obama, House propose cuts to healthcare as part of deficit reduction plans
April 21, 2011 – 9:02 AM
President Barack Obama unveiled his deficit reduction plan last week, calling for a mix of spending reductions and tax hikes that the White House claims would cut federal deficits by $4 trillion over the next 12 years without gutting popular…
TAVR looked upon as next med-tech blockbuster, but is it ready for primetime?
April 6, 2011 – 11:37 AM
It’s easy to understand the excitement about the PARTNER trial, sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, California), the company that makes the much talked about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device, called the Sapien. After all, given the choice between open…
Is Medtronic’s cancellation of GPO contracts a prelude to a trend, or just an anomaly?
March 21, 2011 – 12:27 PM
Late last month, Medtronic (Minneapolis) reported that it was cancelling several of its largest contracts with group purchasing organizations (GPOs) worth more than $2 billion collectively. Medtronic said the decision to cancel five contracts with Novation (Irving, Texas) and another…
Alas, poor Berwick! His nomination bid appears headed for an early grave
March 10, 2011 – 1:57 PM
The recess appointment of Donald Berwick, MD, to the administrator’s position at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last July roiled many members of Congress, and a recent Senate letter to the Obama administration expressing disfavor for Berwick’s…
