GENE O’CONNELL – RN, MS
An open letter from the Past Chair of National Association of Hospital Administrators, Past CEO of San Francisco General Hospital.

Congressman Frank Pallone
Healthcare Sub-Committee Chair
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20515

Dear Congressman Pallone,

I commend Senator Waxman’s Sub-committee hearings on Medical Devices on June 18, 2009 as a critical component of healthcare reform to bring before Congress issues of regulatory oversight to ensure safe, cost effective medical devices that provide better healthcare.

Nowhere in the transcript of testimonies by the four prominent witnesses on June 18, 2009 was there mention of the historic U.S. Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act 2000. Internationally, this uniquely American legislation is the foundation for parliamentary discussions of healthcare reform around the world. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act is held as the highest standard of humanistic and wisdom-filled governance to ensure patient and healthcare safety. Furthermore, the Act addresses the enormous hidden costs of needlestick injuries to society. Dr. William Maisel stated the case succinctly that healthcare reform in America would improve if we only implement current laws.¹

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