Device Makers, Late To The Table, Object To New Fees In Health Bills

"The $100 billion medical-device industry is scrambling to reverse billions of dollars in fees proposed by the Senate Finance Committee, but it faces trouble because its reluctance to offer concessions alienated some lawmakers," the Wall Street Journal reports. The new fees, which are part of the debate surrounding sweeping health reform legislation, would add up to around $40 billion over ten years and would be based on a device-maker's market share. Both congressional aides and device company officials described an effort by the industry to avoid giving up any savings during a White House meeting with other industry groups this spring. Drug makers offered $80 billion in savings while hospitals promised $155 billion. Top lawmakers viewed the device industry's reluctance as an overreach. An aide said, "You either come to the table early, or you end up part of the dinner" (Mundy, 9/15).