Award given for Congressman’s tireless support of jobs and innovation in key Minnesota industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26th, 2010
CONTACT: Luke Friedrich (952) 405-8510 / Andrew Foxwell (202) 225-2871

WASHINGTON – Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) has received the 2010 Medical Device Manufacturer’s Association (MDMA) Chairman’s Award for his tireless efforts to support the innovative and job-creating medical device industry.  With over 400 companies and more than thirty thousand jobs in Minnesota alone, the medical device sector is critical to the state’s economy and Paulsen has led efforts to strengthen and protect this important sector during his first term in Congress.  Paulsen was presented with the award during MDMA’s annual meeting last night.

“The medical device sector provides thousands of good-paying jobs, as well as life-saving health innovation,” said Paulsen.  “I’m proud to accept this award as I continue fighting to foster the innovation and entrepreneurship that is the foundation of this industry.”

Congressman Paulsen was a leading opponent of the new $20 billion medical device tax included in the health care bill and he recently introduced legislation to repeal the tax altogether.  Today, he sent a joint letter with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging a regulatory framework that supports medical innovation and jobs as the FDA reviews and plans the future 510(k) approval process for medical devices.  Read more on this topic HERE.

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