By Wyeth Ruthven, Director of Congressional and Public Relations, HIDA
HIDA’s most recent Washington Summit and Fly-In was among its largest. It benefited greatly from a number of first-time attendees and increased representation from independent distributors. More than 85 healthcare distributors and manufacturers took to Capitol Hill for nearly 100 meetings with Senators, Representatives and their staff.
Leadership meetings: HIDA members met with a bipartisan cross section of Congressional Leadership including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Bipartisan in scope: During the fly-in, distributors and manufacturers from across the medical supply chain met with staff from 49 Republicans Congressional offices and 48 Democratic offices. Attendees discussed tariffs with the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, which sets trade policy – Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Tariffs are top of mind: HIDA’s top priority was to educate Congress on the impact that tariffs are having on the medical supply chain, and to advocate for tariff relief for critical medical products. The uncertainty around constantly shifting tariff policy complicates supply planning and threatens supply chain resiliency.
HIDA members advocated for passage of the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act (H.R. 2213, S.998) – a bill to facilitate trade negotiations concerning critical medical goods and services are delivered safely, swiftly, and efficiently. The bill directs the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate trade agreements with trusted allies to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers in order to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base for medical goods.
Supply chain resiliency: HIDA supports the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act (H.R. 2444, S.257) which would create a Supply Chain Resilience Working Group led by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. This bipartisan legislation fosters public-private partnerships to monitor and strengthen supply chains, with the goal of preparing for and responding to supply chain shocks.
Focus on preparedness: Another ongoing legislative priority for HIDA is the full reauthorization of the Pandemic & All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). This law was first enacted in 2006 to respond to bioterrorism threats, infectious diseases, and other public health emergencies. Thanks to PAHPA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been able to mobilize resources in response to a variety of natural disasters – including most recently during Hurricane Helene in fall 2024.
Ongoing commitment to patients and providers: Despite partisan swings and uncertainty in Washington, HIDA members remain focused on delivering critical medical products to the patients and providers who need them most. Healthcare distributors continue to respond to seasonal respiratory illnesses, as well as emergency outbreaks like bird flu and measles. Regardless of the politics of the moment, we have a job to do – to be the essential link in the medical supply chain.