Medical technology encompasses a vast range of devices, diagnostics, instruments and equipment that impact patients at every point along the continuum of care. From the simplest, most basic healthcare items-bandages, syringes, and IVs-to complex, computerized imaging systems, miniaturized implants, and surgical tools, medical technology allows for earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective patient care.
The Advanced Medical Technology Association, AdvaMed, advocates on behalf of the manufacturers whose products provide the infrastructure to modern healthcare. Headquartered in Washington, DC, AdvaMed is the world's largest trade association for medical technology manufacturers.
AdvaMed's more than 382 member companies and more than 1,400 subsidiaries produce nearly 90 percent of the healthcare technology purchased annually in the United States and more than 50 percent of the $220 billion purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members include some of the world's largest healthcare multinationals including Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and GE Healthcare, but, mirroring the make-up of the industry itself, smaller, emerging growth companies with revenues of less than $100 million annually comprise approximately 70 percent of the Association's membership.
AdvaMed has been working on behalf of this diverse and dynamic industry for more than 35 years, initially as the Health Industry Manufacturers Association (HIMA) which was formed in 1974 through the merger of the Medical-Surgical Manufacturers Association and the Health Industries Association, founded in 1903 and 1921, respectively. HIMA changed its name to AdvaMed in June 2000 to more accurately reflect the cutting edge nature of medical technology and the Association's advocacy role in ensuring that patients worldwide are provided the benefits of innovative technologies.
AdvaMed's Mission
The Association's role is summed up in its mission statement:
"AdvaMed advocates for a legal, regulatory and economic environment that advances global healthcare by assuring worldwide patient access to the benefits of medical technology. We promote policies that foster the highest ethical standards, rapid product approvals, appropriate reimbursement, and access to international markets."
To effectively carry out its advocacy mission, the Association is organized around four main policy departments: The Technology and Regulatory Affairs Department constantly engages with FDA at all levels to ensure reasonable yet effective pre- and post-market regulation for medical technology so that members' innovative products reach patients and physicians in the most timely, least burdensome fashion.
The Payment and Healthcare Delivery Department works diligently on behalf of the 40 million Americans who depend on Medicare for their healthcare so that beneficiaries continue to have access to the most effective medical technologies and that these innovations are appropriately reimbursed.
The Global Department makes sure that the unique regulatory, reimbursement and market access challenges AdvaMed members face in all the countries in which they conduct business do not become obstacles that prevent fair competition overseas, depriving patients worldwide of the benefits of their innovative products.
From compliance to intellectual property matters, AdvaMed's Legal Department provides members a critical resource and voice on the legal issues and policies that affect their businesses.
Successful Advocacy Efforts
Over the years, AdvaMed has garnered a reputation for effective, proactive advocacy and has achieved a number of significant policy successes on behalf of its members. For example:
Front and Center on HealthCare Reform
AdvaMed's reputation for leadership and for finding bipartisan solutions to complex healthcare challenges has afforded the association a prominent seat at the table in the on-going debate to reform the nation's healthcare system.
Successfully raising the medical technology industry's voice above the din of so many competing interests in Washington, DC, did not come about by accident. More than two years ago, the Association started to position itself as a key player in the broader healthcare arena by unveiling a comprehensive health-care reform plan. The plan supports universal coverage so that all Americans can have access to the best American medicine has to offer and concludes that reducing the burden of disease through prevention, improved efficiency, and medical innovation are the best ways to control healthcare costs.
In part because of the visibility the plan generated, AdvaMed was invited to participate in several key stakeholder groups. The Association also engaged in extensive outreach efforts with congressional staff and members of the Obama Administration. The Association was part of meetings with the key House and Senate committees that would eventually craft healthcare reform legislation.
In May, AdvaMed along with a number of other key health industry organizations (American Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Service Employees International Union, American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans) held a private meeting with President Obama and his team and committed to work together to develop concrete initiatives to help transform the healthcare system.
In line with AdvaMed's own healthcare plan, the group agreed that to achieve and sustain reduced cost growth, healthcare reform needs to improve the population's health; continuously improve quality; encourage the advancement of medical treatments, approaches, and science; streamline administration; and encourage efficient care delivery based on evidence and best practices.
On June 1, as part of this group AdvaMed delivered a report to the White House recommending actions that could result in as much as $1.7 trillion in savings to the healthcare system. As the healthcare debate proceeds, the medical technology industry remains committed to the ultimate goal of achieving broad based reform that offers every American access to health care.
Working with Members, for Members
AdvaMed's advocacy successes and the leadership role the Association is playing in the most significant healthcare debate in the last 15 years stems from its effective interactions with its members.
Members have access to the knowledge and experience of AdvaMed staff and educational and training programs through the Association's Medical Technology Learning Institute (see accompanying article), and are kept abreast of the latest regulatory and legislative issues via targeted email alerts.
But the communication goes both ways. AdvaMed members are able to impact Association policies and priorities through their participation in more than 120 working groups that address regulatory and reimbursement issues that run the gamut of affecting the entire industry to a specific device sector. In the case of international issues, working groups exist for key markets with mature regulatory systems, such as Europe and Japan, as well as emerging markets with nascent systems such as China, India and Brazil.
An association is only as effective as the strength and commitment of its members, and in this regard AdvaMed is truly fortunate. With the support of its members, the Association is committed to fulfilling its mission to ensure that patients worldwide can experience the benefits of advanced medical technologies, and by doing so, helping its members thrive.