Oregon Sets Legislative Example for Other States Considering Right to Repair
The commencement of the 2024 state legislative sessions has demonstrated a significant focus on right-to-repair issues, which are evidently important to both consumers and lawmakers across multiple states.
There is a widespread demand for access to necessary repair information that would enable individuals to perform their own repairs on everything from agricultural equipment like tractors to everyday consumer products like smartphones. This desire is driven by the anticipation of reduced repair costs for consumers who opt for self-servicing.
However, with great responsibility comes great risk and those in favor of right to repair legislation must understand that not all products are created equal. In fact, medical devices often become intertwined with this type of legislation, which is destined to create a whole plethora of issues down the road.
But the state of Oregon has now positioned itself as a legislative model for other states to follow. Earlier this month the Oregon State Senate passed its newest rendition of right to repair legislation that properly exempted medical devices, with the Oregon House Committee on Business and Labor voting to approve the bill 7-3 just last week. Without this exemption, patient safety would be on the line.
As we move further into the 2024 sessions, other states who are avidly considering right to repair must understand the need to keep medical devices far from the proverbially table. Patients deserve peace of mind knowing that the devices they depend on or rely on for care at a doctor’s office are properly repaired by those who are federally regulated by the FDA.