Medtronic endorses trade association's plans for future

Medtronic is backing several industry proposals to foster the growth of the nation's medical device industry and sustain America's leadership in the sector.

The proposals come from AdvaMed, a trade association for the medical device industry. In a report Monday, AdvaMed calls for several actions, including the creation of an office of medical innovation policy in the White House.

The industry group also wants more predictable, faster and less burdensome federal regulatory reviews of medical devices.

Medtronic spokesman Brian Henry said the benefits of the proposed policies would flow to consumers as well as med tech firms.

"We are really advancing health care for everyone," Henry said. "That's really the most important part of all of this. The best outcome of all these policies means better health for Americans."

Henry said the proposals are in the best interests of the industry and nation.

"The medical device industry is an important one to the United States, both from a health outcomes perspective but also from an economic perspective. And working with AdvaMed and others. We hope to continue that growth."

Medical device and related firms firms employ some 30,000 Minnesotans.