(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091120/NY15481)

More than 33 million Americans suffer from overactive bladder, but too many people with OAB do not recognize that they have a treatable condition and struggle for years before finding the right treatment option. A recent survey conducted by the National Association for Continence (NAFC) with support from Medtronic, compared women ages 40 to 65 who have experienced symptoms of OAB to women without symptoms in the same age group. Overall, 80 percent of women who had treated their OAB said that years of frustration of living with the debilitating symptoms finally led them to seek treatment. Unfortunately, nearly three out of four women said that they waited longer than they should have to seek help. The campaign, launching during November's Bladder Health Awareness Month, will encourage people who are suffering with OAB to recognize the moments they struggle with their condition and to find resources for support or information about treatment options.

"Overactive bladder can have a significant impact on the lives of women living with the debilitating symptoms, seriously compromising their well-being," said Cindy Kent, vice president in Urology/Gastroenterology Therapies, part of the Neuromodulation business at Medtronic. "Through this comprehensive awareness campaign, we will help as many women as possible better understand their condition and what they can do to overcome it."

The campaign focuses on the personal stories of women suffering from OAB - their everyday struggles, how they coped with the condition and the moment they knew it was time to seek further treatment. Personal stories include those from women who are currently using InterStim(R) Therapy - a long-term option for patients who have not had success with or could not tolerate other forms of treatments such as oral medications.

Julie Rady, from Wisconsin, is an InterStim patient who suffered from overactive bladder for years. One year ago, Julie received InterStim Therapy, which she says has changed her life. Julie was selected to participate in the campaign because she wants to share her story with women across America who suffer from OAB. Julie will join forces with Dr. Donnica Moore, a leading women's health expert and advocate, to help women understand that there is hope and that they can have freedom from OAB.

"Overactive bladder can affect all aspects of a woman's life - from personal relationships to their career to completing everyday tasks. It can affect a woman's self-esteem and her sexual experiences, and it causes sleep deprivation," said Dr. Donnica Moore, Founder and President of DrDonnica.com and Sapphire Women's Health Group LLC. "Many women are hesitant to discuss this condition even with their physicians to avoid further embarrassment, but the campaign is all about letting women know they're not alone and that there is hope to take back their lives."

Also as a part of the campaign, Medtronic has launched a Web site www.facingourmoments.com, a collection of educational resources for patients who are experiencing OAB symptoms.

Important Safety Information About InterStim Therapy

InterStim Therapy for Urinary Control treats urinary retention (inability to completely empty the bladder) and the symptoms of overactive bladder, including urinary urge incontinence (leakage) and significant symptoms of urgency-frequency. It should be used after those affected with these symptoms have tried other treatments such as medications and behavioral therapy and they have not worked, or could not be tolerated.

Individuals with overactive bladder should have a successful trial assessment before receiving InterStim Therapy. They cannot have diathermy (deep heat treatment from electromagnetic energy) if they have an InterStim device.

InterStim Therapy is not intended for patients with a urinary blockage. Safety and effectiveness have not been established for pregnancy and delivery; patients under the age of 16; or for patients with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant sites, new pain, infection, lead (thin wire) movement/migration, device problems, interactions with certain other devices or diagnostic equipment, undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function, and uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling).

Patients should consult with their doctors to decide whether InterStim Therapy is right for them. InterStim is a prescription device. For further information, please call Medtronic at 1-800-328-0810 and/or consult Medtronic's website at www.medtronic.com.

About The Accidental Sisterhood Foundation

The Accidental Sisterhood Foundation promotes health education for women, with a special emphasis on improving female pelvic floor health. The Foundation supports research and information programs to ensure that women recognize and understand the highly treatable and preventable nature of pelvic floor issues and get the help they need. For more information visit AccidentalSisterhood.com.

About Red Hot Mamas

Red Hot Mamas is the nation's largest menopause management education and support program. Its mission is to broaden the base of women's knowledge about menopause and empower them to become educated healthcare consumers and active participants in the management of their menopause. Red Hot Mamas provides education, support, understanding, hope and optimism - www.redhotmamas.org.

About Women's Health Foundation (WHF)

Women's Health Foundation has sought to bring sensitive and stigmatized women's health issues out of hiding and into the light. Guided by the mission "To improve the pelvic health and fitness of all women," WHF is continually taking steps to empower women with knowledge, and in turn, take control of their bodies.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 24, 2009. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

SOURCE Medtronic

http://www.medtronic.com

Bill Hawkins' statement follows:

Strong Supporter of National Healthcare Reform "Our healthcare system is in need of reform and Medtronic is and has been a strong supporter of reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable health insurance for millions of uninsured Americans, reducing costs and achieving greater efficiencies in the healthcare system, better managing chronic disease and improving our nation's medical liability system. These goals are consistent with and support Medtronic's 60-year Mission of providing our therapies to people around the world who need them in order to extend, enhance and save their lives. We committed early on to try and make healthcare reform a reality, and we have lived up to our commitment."

We Are Making Important Contributions to Reform "Financing healthcare reform is a challenge, and Medtronic and our industry will contribute in myriad meaningful ways. Direct savings will be garnered from imaging, diagnostics and durable medical equipment providers, in addition to indirect savings to be achieved. For example, the $155 billion in cuts agreed to by hospitals might in part be achieved through concessions and agreements with our industry. That reality alone is estimated to cost our industry more than $15 billion over the next 10 years. Secondly, we have worked hard with members of both Houses to construct meaningful Comparative Effectiveness, Value-Based Purchasing and Physician Payment Disclosure provisions that will also provide savings to the healthcare system. We are proud of that work and believe it will result in value for patients and physicians. In total, these initiatives will exceed $20 billion in contributions from our industry.

"The Senate Finance Committee originally proposed a $40 billion manufacturer's fee assessed over the next ten years, which would have brought our total industry contribution to more than $60 billion. The adverse impacts of such an "innovation tax" are real and directly affect our ability to carry on vital research and development activity, provide jobs, and to remain globally competitive.

"In real terms, the proposed $40 billion manufacturer's fee would have meant nearly $300 million of additional annual costs to Medtronic's business alone. With this additional burden, the United States would become the most expensive country in the world to develop and produce medical technology."

Promising Senate and House Proposals "Both the House and Senate have now proposed medical device taxes or fees totaling approximately $20 billion over 10 years -- half of the original Senate proposal of $40 billion. A tax on medical device manufacturers could have untold adverse implications for innovation and jobs, and yet we accept the notion of shared responsibility in meeting the challenge of expanding access to affordable, quality health insurance for all Americans.

"We are encouraged by the progress in this area reflected in the new Senate proposal as well as the House healthcare reform bill passed earlier this month. The Senate and House proposals have substantive differences in how and when these taxes or fees would be applied to the industry, and we look forward to continued constructive work with members of both houses and the Obama Administration to craft a final proposal that meets the important tests of transparency, predictability, simplicity in administration and fundamental fairness.

"While we are encouraged by this progress, we should not lose sight that this approach will come with a cost to our healthcare system. This tax, though reduced, will invariably impact our investment decisions on new therapy development, jobs and global competitiveness. Most importantly, this can serve to diminish patient access to new, live-saving medical technologies. While we will work our level best to minimize these impacts, they are real, and they should not be overlooked."

Tremendous Leadership "I have been gratified by the support and tremendous leadership on this issue by Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Representative Erik Paulsen and the other members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation. Senator Klobuchar, in particular, has worked tirelessly with her colleagues in the Senate to advance healthcare reform and minimize the negative effects such a tax could have on the medical device industry. On behalf of our employees in Minnesota and around the world, we offer our appreciation to her for her leadership on this issue.

"We are also thankful to our industry colleagues, LifeScience Alley, and the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) for their collective work on this issue.

"The medical technology industry has driven almost unimaginable improvements in health care -- extending life and improving the quality of care for millions of people here and around the world. We have long believed that medical technology is an integral solution to the problems that afflict our healthcare system. We thrive on the spirit of competition and innovation in America. We are proud to support healthcare reform and the new access it will bring for millions of people who have been uninsured until now."

About Medtronic Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.

Medtronic, Inc. 
Investor Relations: 
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696 
or 
Public Relations: 
Chuck Grothaus, 763-505-2614

Bill Hawkins' statement follows:

Strong Supporter of National Healthcare Reform

"Our healthcare system is in need of reform and Medtronic is and has been a strong supporter of reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable health insurance for millions of uninsured Americans, reducing costs and achieving greater efficiencies in the healthcare system, better managing chronic disease and improving our nation's medical liability system. These goals are consistent with and support Medtronic's 60-year Mission of providing our therapies to people around the world who need them in order to extend, enhance and save their lives. We committed early on to try and make healthcare reform a reality, and we have lived up to our commitment."

We Are Making Important Contributions to Reform

"Financing healthcare reform is a challenge, and Medtronic and our industry will contribute in myriad meaningful ways. Direct savings will be garnered from imaging, diagnostics and durable medical equipment providers, in addition to indirect savings to be achieved. For example, the $155 billion in cuts agreed to by hospitals might in part be achieved through concessions and agreements with our industry. That reality alone is estimated to cost our industry more than $15 billion over the next 10 years. Secondly, we have worked hard with members of both Houses to construct meaningful Comparative Effectiveness, Value-Based Purchasing and Physician Payment Disclosure provisions that will also provide savings to the healthcare system. We are proud of that work and believe it will result in value for patients and physicians. In total, these initiatives will exceed $20 billion in contributions from our industry.

"The Senate Finance Committee originally proposed a $40 billion manufacturer's fee assessed over the next ten years, which would have brought our total industry contribution to more than $60 billion. The adverse impacts of such an "innovation tax" are real and directly affect our ability to carry on vital research and development activity, provide jobs, and to remain globally competitive.

"In real terms, the proposed $40 billion manufacturer's fee would have meant nearly $300 million of additional annual costs to Medtronic's business alone. With this additional burden, the United States would become the most expensive country in the world to develop and produce medical technology."

Promising Senate and House Proposals

"Both the House and Senate have now proposed medical device taxes or fees totaling approximately $20 billion over 10 years -- half of the original Senate proposal of $40 billion. A tax on medical device manufacturers could have untold adverse implications for innovation and jobs, and yet we accept the notion of shared responsibility in meeting the challenge of expanding access to affordable, quality health insurance for all Americans.

"We are encouraged by the progress in this area reflected in the new Senate proposal as well as the House healthcare reform bill passed earlier this month. The Senate and House proposals have substantive differences in how and when these taxes or fees would be applied to the industry, and we look forward to continued constructive work with members of both houses and the Obama Administration to craft a final proposal that meets the important tests of transparency, predictability, simplicity in administration and fundamental fairness.

"While we are encouraged by this progress, we should not lose sight that this approach will come with a cost to our healthcare system. This tax, though reduced, will invariably impact our investment decisions on new therapy development, jobs and global competitiveness. Most importantly, this can serve to diminish patient access to new, live-saving medical technologies. While we will work our level best to minimize these impacts, they are real, and they should not be overlooked."

Tremendous Leadership

"I have been gratified by the support and tremendous leadership on this issue by Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rep. Anna Eshoo, and other members of the California Congressional delegation. Sens. Feinstein and Boxer worked tirelessly with their colleagues in the Senate to advance healthcare reform and minimize the negative effects such a tax could have on the medical device industry. On behalf of our employees in California and around the world, we offer our appreciation for their leadership on this issue.

"We are also thankful to our industry colleagues, California Healthcare Institute (CHI), and the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) for their collective work on this issue.

"The medical technology industry has driven almost unimaginable improvements in health care -- extending life and improving the quality of care for millions of people here and around the world. We have long believed that medical technology is an integral solution to the problems that afflict our healthcare system. We thrive on the spirit of competition and innovation in America. We are proud to support healthcare reform and the new access it will bring for millions of people who have been uninsured until now."

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.

Medtronic, Inc. 
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696 
Investor Relations 
or 
Chuck Grothaus, 763-505-2614 
Public Relations