Originally Published MDDI January 2005NEWSTRENDS Maria Fontanazza

Maria Fontanazza

January 1, 2005

2 Min Read
MDMA Appoints New Policy Director

Originally Published MDDI January 2005

NEWSTRENDS

Maria Fontanazza

While at MDMA, I look forward to working with CMS and Congress to ensure adequate reimbursement for medical devices. —Jori L. Frahler

After almost two years with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; Baltimore), Jori L. Frahler has joined the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) as its new policy director. Her responsibilities involve implementing the trade association's public policy agenda and focusing on Medicare reimbursement issues.

"While at MDMA I look forward to working with CMS and Congress to ensure adequate and appropriate reimbursement for medical devices as well as working with FDA and Congress on MDUFMA [Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act] legislative modifications," says Frahler.

Frahler's past experience in the healthcare legislation field includes working with both former Congressman John Porter, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Senate Majority Leader William Frist. She spent her time at CMS during Thomas Scully's administration, in the division of the Center for Beneficiary Choice.

"Being a part of the Scully team was an excellent experience, as I was able to see firsthand how the administrative branch, CMS, implements the laws that Congress passes," says Frahler. "My knowledge of both the legislative and regulatory process will be instrumental to my work at MDMA."

Frahler's response to the user-fee increases will be one of her first plans of action. "MDMA is going to actively lobby Congress for a freeze in fees for FY 2006 and FY 2007, allowing only for an inflationary adjustment," she says.

Advocating patient access to the best medical technologies will be another priority. "Currently, some patients are being denied access to certain technologies because of the anticompetitive contracting practices of certain hospital group purchasing organizations," says Frahler. "These practices can have a negative effect on patient care as well as on innovation."

Copyright ©2005 Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry

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