A bill that would require patients to grant permission if reprocessed single-use devices are to be used in their surgical procedures was the subject of a special informational forum of the Joint Legislative Committee on Healthcare on June 27th. Representatives of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy and BD Ophthalmic Systems joined MassMEDIC President, Tom Sommer, in a twenty-minute presentation in support of the legislation. Representatives of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors spoke in opposition.

The legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Susan Tucker of Andover, had received a favorable recommendation from the Public Health Committee earlier this year. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing, co-chaired by Sen. Richard Moore and Rep. Patricia Walrath. Despite support for the legislation among committee members, no further action is scheduled.

The reuse legislation and its current status was the subject of a Fox TV 25 news report on Wednesday, July 19, and featured interviews with Sen. Tucker and Tom Sommer.

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