It’s Already A Record-Breaking Year for Right to Repair
Earlier this week, Wisconsin filed its first right to repair bill in the state, marking the 50th state to propose some form of right to repair legislation. While these policies aim to empower consumers, it is imperative to approach the drafting of these policies with precision and care. Overly broad language could unintentionally undermine critical safety standards for essential products that the public depends on, such as medical devices.
Balancing consumer rights with safety considerations is crucial to ensuring that these laws serve their intended purpose without compromising public well-being. As we see the right to repair discussion continue, we must emphasize the need for important caveats that will keep patients safe by excluding medical devices from this policy shift.
Medical devices are precision instruments relied upon by medical professionals to provide the accurate diagnosis and life-saving care to patients. These devices are federally regulated and need to be serviced by trained repairpersons in order to guarantee their efficacy. Introducing medical devices into the right to repair fold would permit unregulated and untrained third-party repairpersons to carry out repairs, without being held accountable for any mishaps or adverse events that could be caused as a result.
Currently, only seven states recognize the need for medical device exemptions in their right to repair legislation. Some states, like Vermont, have even gone a step further by proposing a right to repair law specifically for medical equipment. And, alarmingly, nearly fifteen of this year’s right to repair bills completely overlook the unique challenges posed by medical technology. This oversight carries dangerous implications that could risk patient lives and safety.
The reality is, mishandling repairs or attempting to fix sophisticated medical equipment without the right expertise could put patient safety in jeopardy and lead to catastrophic outcomes. Lawmakers must keep patient safety at the forefront of their legislative priorities. By exempting medical devices from these bills – as many states have already done — we can ensure the health and well-being of countless individuals relying on this technology.