Medical Device Safety Act 2009- Congress Still Considering Bill

The Medical Device Safety Act of 2009 would allow plaintiffs to move forward against manufacturers. Patients seeking healthcare deserve to be made fully aware of the benefits and the risks of medical devices. If Congress passes this bill, the companies that make medical devices will be held accountable if the message is not clearly conveyed.

Although several hearings have been held as Congress is considering the bill, the bill has not yet gone up for a vote, mainly because of the time spent on the current healthcare reform debates.  But we need for our senators and congressional representatives to know that this legislation is vitally important to protect the rights of those harmed by defective medical devices. To ensure that protection, the bill must be passed.  We are asking you to call or email your U.S. house representative and our two U.S. senators and urge them to vote for the passage of the Medical Device Safety Act of 2009.  Share the stories of how you have been harmed by a defective medical device so that they can understand the true human impact of this bill. It needs to be understood that defective medical devices cause injury in every state and the victims rights to seek compensation needs the protection afforded by this legislation.

Implementing this legislation now will alleviate the possibility of being unprotected if you are injured in result to faulty equipment. It would be in your best interest to let your representatives and Senators know that you want this passed.

Andrea D. Townsend, NCCP

Shipman & Wright, L.L.P.