Several healthcare and industry groups are warning that proposed tariffs on imported medical equipment and supplies could disrupt patient care and increase costs for hospitals and health systems.
The Commerce Department launched a Section 232 investigation Sept. 2 to assess whether reliance on foreign-made medical goods — including personal protective equipment, consumables and devices — poses a national security threat. The agency requested public comments on whether new tariffs or trade restrictions are warranted.
In response, the American Hospital Association said tariffs could “inadvertently disrupt the availability of diagnostic and treatment tools and hinder access to PPE that is essential to protecting the workforce and patients,” according to its Oct. 17 comment letter. The group also advocated for tariff exceptions on items in shortage and preservation of the Nairobi Protocol, which exempts certain medical goods used by individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities.
AdvaMed, a national medtech trade group, said tariffs imposed earlier in 2025 have already driven up costs and reduced investment in research. In its public comment, the group said manufacturers face “multi-year lead times and multi-million-dollar investments” to shift suppliers, according to its Oct. 17 comment letter. The group also warned that small and midsize companies could be forced out of the market if new costs cannot be absorbed.
The Heart Valve Disease Policy Task Force — a coalition of 30 organizations including the American Society of Echocardiography and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association — submitted similar concerns. In an Oct. 16 letter, the group warned that supply chain disruptions could delay access to FDA-regulated cardiovascular technologies. “Even short delays in treatment can result in worsening symptoms, hospitalizations or preventable deaths,” the group wrote.
The task force said hospitals and cardiology practices already face rising expenses and workforce strain and may not be able to absorb additional costs without reducing access to lifesaving technologies.
The comment period closed Oct. 17, and the Commerce Department is reviewing the hundreds of comments submitted. While no immediate policy changes are expected, findings from the investigation could inform future trade decisions beginning in 2026.
