More than 70 years ago, the right to repair movement emerged in response to manufacturers placing barriers that prevented consumers and independent technicians from servicing products they had legally purchased. These restrictions continue to block timely, cost-effective repairs, limiting options for do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike.
Why the Right to Repair Matters for Medical Devices
At its core, the right-to-repair issue asks: Why can’t a product’s owner modify, maintain, or upgrade their own equipment? Why must consumers buy a replacement instead of repairing what they already own?
The pushback has come largely from consumer advocacy organizations, independent service organizations (ISOs), and technicians. Without legislation, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are under no obligation to share service manuals, parts, or diagnostic tools—resources necessary for effective medical device servicing.
Consider auto repair. A home mechanic with a consumer-grade OBD-II scanner may still lack access to proprietary data required to diagnose a problem—information locked behind OEM tools. This same dynamic plays out in agriculture and healthcare. Farmers can’t fix tractors, and healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals often face delays when trying to service critical medical equipment.
Medical Right to Repair: Legislative Challenges and Opportunities
Organizations representing ISOs and consumer rights have brought right-to-repair issues before state legislatures and Congress. Progress has been incremental, with small legislative wins in a few states—but the movement remains far from reaching its goals in the medical sector.
“The code to fighting for medical right to repair hasn’t been cracked,” said Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association. “We’ve seen movement only in a few states like Illinois and Delaware. Legislative leaders avoid fights they think they’ll lose—it’s a Catch-22.”
Growing Momentum Within the Biomedical Community
Thousands of biomedical technicians are affected by the limitations imposed by OEMs. The stakes are high—modern healthcare equipment is increasingly complex, and restricted access can delay life-saving repairs.
Nathan Proctor, senior director at U.S. PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign, referenced discussions from the 2024 MD Expo in Las Vegas: “Hospital-based biomeds say access to repair materials should be a condition of bidding on new equipment.”
Yet many in-house biomeds may not feel the urgency. Perry Kirwan, executive at Sutter Health’s eQuip-Center for Clinical Technology Management, says the challenge lies in mobilization.
“Biomeds tend to be introverted. There’s a sense that this won’t affect them directly,” Kirwan said. “But associations offer strength in numbers and provide a support system to drive engagement.”
State Associations and Strategic Partnerships Are Key
Kirwan suggested state HTM associations should align with larger organizations like the American Hospital Association (AHA), which has more lobbying power. He also emphasized the potential of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) as a platform for educating C-suite leaders about the implications of restricted repair access on affordability and patient care.
“State laws favoring right to repair might be attainable while the federal process drags on,” Kirwan said.
What Biomeds Can Do Now to Support Right to Repair
HTM professionals at all levels can help drive change. Gordon-Byrne says: “Biomeds can provide facts, but we need legislators who are willing to listen. A crisis like the ventilator shortage during COVID helped before—but that momentum has faded.”
Robert Kerwin, general counsel for the International Association of Medical Equipment Remarketers and Servicers (IAMERS), said that HTM professionals should demand service access during procurement.
“The 2024 FDA Remanufacturing Guidance outlines what’s needed to service equipment,” Kerwin said. “When OEMs use tactics like tying upgrades to long-term service contracts, let IAMERS know. That’s a competition issue.”
Procurement Leverage and Policy Advocacy
Proctor cautioned that not all hospitals have purchasing power to sway manufacturers. “Voting with your dollars doesn’t work well in highly consolidated markets,” he said.
Mike Busdicker, senior director of clinical engineering at Intermountain Health, emphasized educating HTM caregivers and organizational leadership. “Every organization has a legal counsel or government relations team. They need to understand what’s at stake.”
Busdicker said state associations must build local political relationships and unify HTM professionals. “Even with ISOs in the mix, we need to work together.”
Calling All HTM Professionals: Unite for the Right to Repair
Hospital leadership plays a pivotal role in influencing OEM behavior. “If hospital admins want right to repair, it’s far more likely to happen,” Gordon-Byrne said. “Large hospital systems have the leverage of the purchase order.”
She also encouraged tapping into public sentiment. “Legislators respond to voters. If we break down how lack of repair options increases health costs, we can drive pressure through constituents.”
Proctor noted that 2024 saw progress in other sectors: “We passed three new laws—one in Oregon for consumer repair, another in Colorado for electronics, and one in California for wheelchairs. But medical equipment remains a challenge.”
Busdicker concluded, “HTM leaders must understand how this impacts patient care, safety, and costs. Education is the first step. Give biomeds the tools they need to take action.”
Share Your Story: Help Amplify the Movement
Gordon-Byrne called for HTM professionals to share repair challenges via The Repair Association’s anonymous complaint collector. These stories help rally public support and attract media attention.
