WASHINGTON, D.C. – As AAHomecare shared earlier this month, the Dept. of Commerce has initiated a Section 232 National Security Investigation into imports of medical equipment, devices, and consumables. The Department is seeking comments from stakeholders on multiple topics, including these, for medical equipment/DME, medical devices, medical consumables, and PPE (hereinafter “medical products”):
- The current and projected demand for medical equipment in the U.S.
- The extent to which medical equipment can meet domestic demand.
- The role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting demand for medical equipment.
- The feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for medical equipment.
- The impact of current trade policies on domestic production of medical equipment and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security.
- The potential for foreign control or exploitation of supply chains for medical equipment.
This investigation could result in tariffs, quotas, or other trade restrictions as early as 2026, with the stated goal of reducing reliance on devices manufactured outside of the U.S. and foreign supply chains. It is critical for all HME suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to submit comments opposing these potential actions by the Friday, Oct. 17 comment deadline.
Tell the Dept. of Commerce what additional tariff costs for DME and supplies, potentially implemented as early as 2026, will mean for your business and the patients you serve. Find additional messaging ideas here. Sharing your direct experience and perspective on how tariff-driven product cost increases or reduced product availability will impact patients, caregivers, and your business makes the best case.
See aahomecare.org/section-232 for a more accessible summary of the Federal Register notice and additional resources to help develop your comments.
Federal Notice Details
Federal Register Notice, September 26, 2025 — 90 Fed. Reg. 46383 (pdf)
Comment Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2025
Comment Docket ID: BIS-2025-0258
See Regulations.gov listing and comment here.
