China responded to Trump’s tariffs with a new tariff on all imports from the U.S., leading Trump to threaten further escalation. [Photo via Adobe Stock]
The medical device industry association and nine other health care groups wrote a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer “in support of the administration’s focus to make America healthy again and to express our concern about the impact of tariffs on medical and dental supplies, equipment, and devices.”
Previously: Manufacturers report price increases and other tariff troubles
“These products are lifesaving, life-sustaining, and help deliver the timely care Americans need,” they continued. “… Given the important role of our work in making America healthy, we are concerned that tariffs placed on medical and dental equipment threaten to disrupt the supply chain and raise costs for these critical items. … We are also concerned that increased costs on medical and dental supplies could impede our ability to improve treatment outcomes, foster innovation, and meet the growing needs of pediatric and adult populations. This could result in longer wait times, reduced access to necessary treatments, and greater financial strain on health care systems that are already under pressure.”
Led by AdvaMed, the signatories included the American Association for Homecare, American Dental Association, America’s Essential Hospitals, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Conquering CHD, Health Industry Distributors Association, Preeclampsia Foundation, Prevent Cancer, and Sepsis Alliance.
The letter cited research showing 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021 and that 700 more hospitals are at risk.
They also cited a recent survey of healthcare supply chain professionals, pharmaceutical executives, distributors, and medical equipment manufacturers that found 80% expected increased import expenses would push costs up at least 15% for hospitals and health systems in the next few months. The results of that survey were released in February, weeks before the Trump Administration announced its unusually broad and steep tariff scheme.
“We look forward to working with the Trump administration and other agencies to advance policies that improve the health outcomes of Americans,” the groups said. “We respectfully request that medical and dental supplies, equipment, and devices are made exempt from tariffs to prevent further escalation of health care costs and ensure patient accessibility to these products.”
Medical device manufacturers — most recently including Steris — have said it’s too early to quantify how much these tariffs would hurt their businesses. It’s so far unclear exactly how they will apply and for how long, whether other nations will retaliate and how Trump will respond.
Even if the devices themselves are exempted from import taxes, device manufacturers would likely still have to pay the tariffs on any materials or components they import to make their products.
Shortly before AdvaMed publicly argued for an exemption in February, Intuitive Surgical warned Trump’s tariffs could hurt their business.
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