Tariffs Are About to Hit Lifesaving Medical Equipment
a day ago
- #Medicaid
- #healthcare
- #tariffs
- Trump's tariffs may raise costs of durable medical equipment (DME), affecting affordability and supply.
- DME includes essential devices like oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, and diabetes supplies.
- Medicaid and Medicare coverage for DME varies, with potential reductions in supplies or higher co-pays due to tariffs.
- 75% of US medical devices are partially manufactured abroad, with respiratory devices likely heavily impacted.
- China, a major supplier, faces US tariffs, possibly leading firms to seek cheaper factories elsewhere.
- FDA approval delays due to layoffs could further disrupt supply chains.
- Past Medicaid prescription drug caps led to increased nursing home admissions for medication access.
- Diabetes patients on Medicaid may struggle to afford continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps.
- Medicaid budget cuts could pressure states to reduce benefits or increase out-of-pocket costs.
- Vulnerable Medicaid patients relying on life-saving technology may face dire consequences from tariff-related disruptions.