How can tariffs impact healthcare organizations like yours?
Healthcare systems nationwide continue to face mounting financial and operational challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workforce shortages, rising labor costs, and delayed reimbursements remain top concerns for hospital executives.
But beyond these internal pressures, a growing number of external economic forces are now threatening provider sustainability, particularly global healthcare supply chain disruptions driven by trade tariffs.
Even the nation’s largest hospital systems are reporting losses. Mass General Brigham, for example, announced a $72 million shortfall in its 2024 fiscal year.
While revenue cycle management remains a critical internal focus, tariff-related supply constraints may pose an even greater risk to small and mid-sized healthcare providers — especially those that rely on imported pharmaceuticals, devices, and equipment.
As federal trade policy continues to evolve rapidly, healthcare leaders must evaluate how global economic decisions could impact patient care, cost containment, and long-term strategic planning.
Supply Chain Pressures: What Is a Tariff?
Healthcare professionals rely on a broad range of imported medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and protective equipment to deliver quality care. When inventory shortages occur, patient outcomes suffer and operational costs increase.
Historically, tariffs have been used to limit foreign competition and stimulate domestic manufacturing. A tariff functions as a tax imposed on imported goods. While intended to strengthen national economic interests, these tariffs often lead to increased prices across industries—with downstream effects on healthcare providers and patients.
Why Healthcare Is Particularly Vulnerable
The U.S. government has implemented tariffs on goods such as steel, aluminum, and now, healthcare equipment and pharmaceutical ingredients. Unlike many consumer products, these materials are foundational to healthcare delivery. Tariffs on essential imports can affect:
- Life-saving treatments and emergency care
- Medical research and pharmaceutical development
- Public health response and pandemic readiness
- Access to personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Diagnostic imaging, surgical systems, and hospital infrastructure
Scaling domestic production to meet healthcare demand can take years. In the meantime, price volatility and shortages place additional strain on provider organizations, particularly those in rural, community, and nonprofit hospital settings.
Timeline of 2025 Tariff Announcements
February 1, 2025: Executive order issues 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, and 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports.
February 3, 2025: 30-day pause announced for Canadian and Mexican tariffs; Chinese tariffs remain.
February 10, 2025: Tariffs on steel and aluminum set to increase from 10% to 25% by March 12.
March 4, 2025: Tariffs raised to 25% on Canada and Mexico; 20% on China. Canada and China announce retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
March 12, 2025: Steel and aluminum tariffs go into effect. EU retaliates with trade restrictions.
April 2, 2025: 10% baseline tariff announced on all countries; elevated rates for major trade partners.
April 8, 2025: Warning issued on pending pharmaceutical tariffs.
April 10, 2025: Tariffs on Chinese goods raised to 145%.
Critical Healthcare Inputs Affected by Tariffs
- Pharmaceuticals: China is a leading exporter of active pharmaceutical ingredients. A tariff may increase the cost of generic drugs.
- PPE and Consumables: 94% of U.S. latex gloves and most N95 masks are sourced from China. Nonprofit facilities may struggle to absorb higher costs.
- Medical Devices: X-ray machines, ventilators, and anesthesia systems could see 20-30% cost increases. Supply access may vary by region and facility size.
- Specialty Drugs: Heart medications and cancer treatments are projected to rise 15-20% in consumer pricing.
- AI-Driven Tools: Healthcare AI systems may become more expensive if tariffs affect IT hardware and server infrastructure.
The Long Road to Domestic Substitution
While tariffs aim to bolster domestic manufacturing, the U.S. economy has long prioritized services over industrial production. Shifting this balance could take years, requiring:
- New facility development in healthcare hubs like Texas, California, Ohio, and Georgia
- Workforce training programs to upskill local talent
- Reliable domestic raw material sourcing, particularly in regions like the Midwest and South
- Infrastructure expansion near rural and underserved hospital networks
- Long-term investment commitments from state-level health departments
Healthcare providers across different regions can’t afford to wait. Inaction could result in delayed treatments, revenue disruption, and care delivery bottlenecks.
Offsetting Healthcare Tariff Impact Through Operational Efficiency
Tariff volatility creates uncertainty with the healthcare industry’s razor-thin margins, but reducing internal inefficiencies can free up resources and protect margins.
ChartRequest helps healthcare organizations nationwide reduce operational costs through streamlined medical record retrieval, automated invoicing, and digital record exchange processes.
Whether you’re a regional health system in the Southeast or a specialty clinic in the Pacific Northwest, our platform enables providers to redirect staff time from paperwork to patient care.
- Lower overhead
- Faster turnaround times
- Fewer compliance risks
Explore how ChartRequest supports financial resiliency in uncertain economic conditions across all U.S. markets.
