Minn. Congressional lawmakers push for medical device bills

Two new bills from Minnesota's Congressional delegation would make it easier for the state's medical device companies to get their products to market.

The first bill comes from DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar, along with co-sponsors from both political parties.

It would make changes to the way the Food and Drug Administration approves medical devices to speed up a process that's gotten increasingly slow.

The measure changes the requirements for outside experts to sit on FDA panels and forces the agency to speed up the approval process.

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With nearly 30,000 Minnesotans employed by the device industry, Klobuchar said her bill is vital to the state.

"Not only will this give us a faster, more efficient process that will lead to more jobs, I think we can also improve the quality," she said.

The second bill comes from Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen and shares elements of Klobuchar's bill.

Paulsen said he's working closely with the House committee responsible for the bill and expects action on the measure next year.