FCC sets aside spectrum for medical devices

We talked about this story on Wednesday on our show when the FCC vote was looming. Yesterday the vote was held and a small section of spectrum was allocated for devices that are either implanted or attached to the body and communicate wirelessly for monitoring or treatment. The United States is the first country to approve spectrum for this purpose. The vote was unanimous among the five FCC commissioners.
From The Hill:

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the technology has “tremendous potential to untether patients from tubes and wires, and improve the quality of healthcare and ensure better outcomes for patients.”

He cited a study that found an unmonitored patient has just a six percent chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, but monitored patients have a 48 percent chance of surviving. He also claimed the medical devices could reduce healthcare costs by as much as $12,000 per patient by reducing the risk of infections.