Article Summary –
By the end of 2024, an estimated 5.5 million Americans relied on wheelchairs, with 70%-80% of these wheelchairs being manufactured in China, and the imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods in April 2025 by President Donald Trump did not exempt wheelchairs, leading to concerns of supply chain disruptions and increased costs. The “30-for-30” trade framework between the U.S. and China did not alleviate tariffs on medical goods, further straining healthcare providers, particularly in underserved communities, as they faced higher prices and potential access issues. Additionally, the Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts compounded the effects of these tariffs, potentially causing 11 million Americans to lose insurance coverage and exerting pressure on states to reassess eligibility and reimbursement rates.
By the end of 2024, an estimated 5.5 million Americans used wheelchairs, with demand escalating as the population ages. Around 70%-80% of these wheelchairs, both electric and manual, are made in China. In April 2025, President Donald Trump implemented a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, including wheelchairs.
Last month, a summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Trump established a “30-for-30” framework that reduced tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods, excluding durable medical equipment like wheelchairs.
Before the tariff imposition, 10 healthcare organizations signed a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, warning of potential supply chain disruptions and rising costs, especially impacting healthcare providers in rural areas.
“Rising costs on medical supplies could hinder our ability to improve treatment outcomes and meet growing needs, causing longer wait times and reduced access,” the letter warned.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers use fixed reimbursement rates for home medical equipment. Tariff-induced price hikes often force suppliers to absorb costs or pass them to patients.
In September 2025, the Trump administration began investigating the national security implications of imported medical goods, including wheelchairs, considering new tariffs or quotas to boost domestic production.
The American Hospital Association urged tariff exemptions for medical imports. The Alliance for Aging Research stated, “Older adults cannot handle higher costs or disruptions without health consequences,” in a letter to the Commerce Department.
In July 2025, Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid over a decade. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare estimated up to 11 million Americans could lose insurance.
Allie Gardner, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, noted Medicaid cuts would exacerbate the impact of tariffs, making necessary supplies inaccessible. “This could pressure states to reassess eligibility, affecting coverage and access,” Gardner said.
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