The article about Medical Device Innovation Consortium (“Consortium aims to speed device reviews,” Dec. 3, ModernHealthcare.com) covers the concerns of the very vocal, profitable medical-device industry. What it does not include is the fact that patient advocates were not invited to this briefing until they received an e-mail from the Food and Drug Administration late Thursday for the Monday morning event. Most advocates are unpaid and do not live inside the Beltway. The membership of this organization requires a $5,000 minimum investment. With patients being the primary stakeholder in healthcare, it is unconscionable that the FDA (a government agency) and Franken/Brown/Klobuchar (elected senators) would invest in a thinly veiled redundant proprietary industry group that excludes consumers and offers profiteers another platform to direct legislation and funding.
Joleen Chambers
Patient advocateFailed Implant Device AllianceDallas
