Ubl

Stephen J. Ubl , chief executive of the industry trade group AdvaMed, said, "The establishment of total time goals for device approval is a big deal."

Device Makers, FDA Agree on Fees Thomas M. Burton 2012

The report's conclusions do not deserve serious consideration from the Congress or the Administration, said Stephen Ubl, president of the Advanced Medical Technology Association.

FDA criticized over the way they regulate medical devices. 2011

Ubl says Medicare's payment system doesn't give physicians any incentive to adopt such technology, despite its potential for saving money by eliminating trips to the hospital or doctor's office.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

Advances in these types of diagnostics, particularly with the mapping of the human genome, have been brisk, but Ubl says Medicare's payment system hasn't kept up.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

"You're probably going to have an entitlement-reform-type Medicare bill every other year as far as the eye can see," Ubl says.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

Ubl points out that Medicare and Medicaid are the fastest-growing areas of the budget, meaning there are plenty of battles ahead over health care costs.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

For his part, Ubl started his Washington career as an aide to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and has run legislative operations for, among others, AdvaMed and the Federation of American Hospitals.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

"Deaver is going to talk about what those knees have meant to his everyday life," Ubl says.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

Ubl won't name legislators, but he indicates they're all interested in health care and have AdvaMed members in their states or districts.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006

Ubl says the group has also shifted its top area of interest from the regulatory matters at the FDA to reimbursement matters and Medicare.

Medical Devices: Building A Beltway Brand 2006