ACR Urges Commerce to Protect Access to Radiology Devices

ACR® filed comments with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in response to the agency’s request for comment about an investigation to determine effects of imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables and medical equipment (including devices) on national security. The investigation could have implications for potential tariffs on medical devices used in diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine and medical physics.

ACR recommends Commerce differentiate advanced medical technologies from PPE and medical consumables (e.g., syringes) in its investigation. The College said there are disparate economic and supply chain considerations across the categories included in the investigation that merit separate analyses.

ACR also argues that imposing tariffs on imaging technology, including materials and parts used to manufacture this technology, would add financial burden to an already strained U.S. healthcare system and would increase the cost of diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients. The College urges Commerce to consider implications on patient access and cost of care.

For more information or if you have questions, contact Lindsay Robbins, ACR Regulatory Policy Specialist.