It’s always a special treat to be given free publicity by our friends at Dick Cheney’s favorite “think tank,”
the Manhattan Institute—so hugs to the Institute’s blog, PointofLaw for its extra-special shout out today on our recent story, “Just Say No to Medical Device Hooey.”
Like prior POL hat tips, this one didn’t include much (any) analysis—but it did quote us—which let’s face it, wasn’t quite as cool as being quoted in the sonorous voice of James Earl Jones or something, but it still left us with a warmish feeling.
Most importantly, though, in its own special way, it drew much needed attention to the dangers posed by the most dangerous medical devices, and the total lack of recourse that currently exists for those injured by them in the wake of the Supreme Court’s horrible decision in Riegel v. Medtronic—and that’s a VERY big deal to us (here, here, here). Come to think of it, even though the Manhattan Institute may not care, we suspect it’s a big deal to Dick Cheney as well, given his well documented reliance on a pacemaker. And the timing couldn’t have been better as Congress contemplates passing the Medical Device Act.
Anyway, thanks again for the honorable mention, POL—and next time you see Dick Cheney, tell him that unlike, perhaps, Wanda Sykes, we’re doing everything we can to make sure friends of the Manhattan Institute have access to safe medical devices, and recourse if they’re harmed. You are welcome!
Very funny, very well said, and I share your point of view. It is one thing to be prevented from suing the manufacturer of a medical device as a result of FDA preemption. But when you know that the FDA's trials are so poorly done, thereby virtually guaranteeing that many "approved" devices are ticking time bombs, preemption seems particularly outrageous. That is something that the conservative think tanks have avoided talking about, and understandably so. It is indefensible.
Posted by: Andrew J. Barovick | May 16, 2009 at 06:57 PM