By Kathryn DiBitetto, Vice President of Government Affairs
From tariffs to preparedness, HIDA members brought supply chain priorities to Congress.
Healthcare distributors and manufacturers went to Washington with a clear message: a resilient healthcare supply chain does not happen by accident.
It requires sustained partnership between industry and government and a shared commitment to ensuring medical products reach providers and patients when they are needed.
That message was front and center at HIDA’s 2026 Washington Summit, where leaders gathered in the nation’s capital for direct engagement with policymakers. HIDA members participated in more than 80 meetings on Capitol Hill, using real-world examples to explain how federal policy decisions affect the movement of medical products.
Two congressional voices, one supply chain message
Members of Congress took the stage bringing Capitol Hill directly to HIDA members.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), a physician, veteran, and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, delivered keynote remarks focused on public health and readiness for future emergencies. Miller-Meeks voiced support for improving coordination with state stockpiles, helping ensure emergency supplies are better aligned with real-time needs on the ground.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) spoke about her legislation, the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act. The bill would create a strategic trade framework for critical medical products, allowing the U.S. to work more closely with trusted trade partners. It would ensure healthcare providers can access essential supplies even when tariffs, geopolitical disruptions, or public health emergencies strain the system.
Connecting tariff policy to patient access
Tariffs were a major focus of conversations on Capitol Hill. HIDA members warned that medical products are already subject to multiple tariffs, including Section 301 duties on products from China, Section 232 tariffs on key materials such as steel and aluminum and a 10% baseline 122 tariff. New tariffs, such as 232s on medical products, would threaten the affordability and availability of healthcare supplies. Members urged policymakers to ensure that trade policy supports, rather than hinders, America’s healthcare system.
Advancing practical resilience solutions
HIDA members urged lawmakers to advance policies that strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to the next public health emergency, including the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act and reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. These measures are critical to improving coordination before, during, and after disruptions. Both pieces of legislation remain bipartisan; however, Congress is not expected to enact much legislation before the midterm elections.
Advocacy powered by real-world expertise
In a city where the old saying still holds true, “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” HIDA members showed why healthcare distribution must be part of the policy conversation. Washington Summit offered more than a chance to advocate. It was a reminder that the strongest policy outcomes are shaped by the people closest to the work.
