The healthcare industry has seen a rapid uptick in healthcare IT (HIT) adoption, thanks in large part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which contains incentives specifically aimed at accelerating provider adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems. And the scope of healthcare IT spreads far behind EHRs.

Paying too much attention to something can be depressing if you’re hoping for change in a particular direction, so device makers might be forgiven for ignoring the goings-on inside I-495, that vaguely circular slab of pavement running ‘round our nation’s capital. So is there any cause for med tech optimism about inside-the-Beltway developments? I’ll just say that you might want to indulge more frequently in a time-tested mood elevator this summer, one that requires no prescription. Device tax repeal in limbo Device tax repeal legislation is...