As the new White House administration moves to act on campaign promises by tackling the issue of health care reform, a Loudon industrial representative is playing a significant role in deliberations, and possibly, in the shaping of new policies.

Adroit Medical Systems Vice President Scott Gammons was invited to the White House June 25 to speak with President Barack's Obama's senior advisors about healthcare reform. He was invited back to the White House for further discussions July 9.

The first meeting involved a select group of medical business representatives - about five or six individuals, Gammons said.  Discussions revolved around the issue of  fraud and abuse in the supply of medical devices to hospitals and Medicare beneficiaries.

In this area, Gammons had nabbed the attention of Washington because of previous activities.

He has been an outspoken advocate for repeal of the legislation that allows group purchasing organizations (known in the industry as GPO's) safe harbour and ability to skirt national antitrust laws.

"I have been an advocate for fair trade in the hospital supply chain for about 10 years," Gammons said. "I submitted testimony for Senate hearings a few years ago. Group Purchasing Organizations dictate what products will be used in hospitals... A lot of people don't know about GPO's. They are more profitable in the United States than insurance or pharmaceutical companies. Basically, they just broker contracts for hospitals."

Gammons said the health care supply contracts brokered by GPO's are not required to have any percentage of American-made products, and they are unfair to American companies, causing the health care industry to favor companies that are bigger, rather than those that offer cost effective, well made products.

Gammons said, "If we removed this safe harbor legislation, we could save the country $1 trillion."

He said the University of Tennessee Medical Center is a prime example of the problems of GPO's. "Because of ridiculous contracts negotiated by a third party in Texas, we can't provide UT with safer products that cost half as much," he said.

Gammons said he demonstrated some of the medical inventions of his father, Gene Gammons, for the advisors in Washington. He also discussed Adroit Medical System's role and commitment to creating jobs during these challenging times.

 "I told them that Adroit Medical is a true success story in East Tennessee, but that we need the White House to help make sure our innovative products can get to the market," Gammons said. "The sad truth is that it is easier for us to sell our products overseas than it is to sell right here in our own backyard."

Gammons was asked to leave samples of Adroit Medical products at the White House.

"I was really humbled and excited to tell them about Adroit," Gammons said. "We are a hardworking family business and my Dad's inventions have literally helped shape the medical device industry."

The information presented by Gammons was received positively, he said. "What impressed me most about the meeting is that they listened and weren't afraid to say 'these problems need to be fixed.'"