Commenter:       Blumer, MD, John
Title:     Otolaryngologist
Organization:     CEENTA
Date:     08/18/2006
Comment:

I have been implanting this device in patients
with treatment-resistant depression for the past
10 months and I have no financial interest in
the company. My experience thus far has been
extraordinarily positive. The quality of life
has improved substantially in 10 of the 12
patients I have implanted with the device. My
first patient hung Christmas lights this past
December for the first time in 5 years and she
is now working again at full capacity.
I realize that my experience may be somewhat
skewed in comparison to the published statistics
but nevertheless, in my opinion, every patient
who suffers from chronic debilitating or life-
threatening depression should at least be given
the opportunity to receive the benefit of vagus
nerve stimulation therapy regardless of their
financial status. This is a safer and aguably
more cost-effective treatment modality than
electroconvulsive therapy.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MCD/viewpubliccomments.asp?nca_id=195&expand=Y#0807200609062006A