HIGPA Opposes Medical Device Competition Act of 2004
ARLINGTON, Va. The following is a statement by Robert Betz, PhD, president and CEO of the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA):
The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) opposes the Medical Device Competition Act of 2004 (S. 2880), as introduced by Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. This legislation is counterproductive to the shared priorities of the Senators and the industry of ensuring healthcare providers access to the best products at the best price.
The public policy goals outlined in S. 2880 are the same founding principles of healthcare purchasing organizations -- encouraging competition and innovation in the hospital supply and medical device markets, and reducing the cost of healthcare as a result of aggregating buying power. However, legislation is the wrong avenue to pursue these goals.
HIGPAs Code of Conduct, adopted in 2002, is working and emphasizes the group purchasing industrys commitment to improving health care and advancing technological innovation at the most manageable costs to providers of care and their patients. HIGPAs Code focuses on several areas:
-- Promoting competition and innovation;
-- Eliminating the potential for conflicts of interests;
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
