Medical Research Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Act
The Medical Research Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Act protects healthcare and biomedical research from global trade disruptions by securing access to critical supplies and research inputs. The legislation supports domestic sourcing alternatives, strategic reserves, and trade navigation assistance to prevent delays in care, diagnostics, and scientific research. By reinforcing supply chain reliability, the Act helps ensure patient safety, research continuity, and long-term resilience in the health sector.
Key Provisions
Essential Medical Supply Resilience Grant Program: Provides funding to healthcare institutions and biotech firms to offset increased costs or delays in acquiring tariff-impacted research materials or medical equipment.
Biomedical Input Sourcing and Substitution Initiative: Supports development and procurement of domestic or non-tariffed alternatives to critical imported biomedical components and laboratory inputs.
Strategic Reserve for Research and Clinical Supplies: Establishes a state-managed reserve of high-priority research reagents, lab materials, and diagnostic equipment to ensure continuity during trade disruptions.
Health Sector Trade Facilitation Services: Assists institutions navigating import/export restrictions on clinical and research materials, including licensing and customs compliance.
Medical Supply Chain Vulnerability Advisory Board: Creates an advisory body to assess vulnerabilities in healthcare and research supply chains and recommend responsive policy actions.
Model Language
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Medical Research Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Act.”
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to protect healthcare and biotechnology sectors from disruptions in international trade by reinforcing medical and research supply chains and supporting domestic alternatives.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) “Eligible institution” means a hospital, research university, biotechnology company, or healthcare facility operating within the state.
(b) “Trade disruption” means any adverse impact on access to medical or research materials due to foreign tariffs, sanctions, or regulatory restrictions.
(c) “Department” means the state agency responsible for public health or economic development.
Section 4. Essential Medical Supply Resilience Grant Program.
(a) The Department shall establish the Essential Medical Supply Resilience Grant Program.
(b) Grants may be awarded to eligible institutions experiencing increased costs, delays, or shortages related to global trade instability.
(c) Funds may be used for substitute sourcing, stockpiling, domestic supplier development, or related mitigation strategies.
Section 5. Biomedical Input Sourcing and Substitution Initiative.
(a) The Department shall support efforts to: (1) Identify critical imported biomedical inputs subject to trade risks (2) Facilitate research into domestic or tariff-neutral substitutes; (3) Promote partnerships with in-state manufacturers to produce essential inputs.
(b) Grants and technical assistance shall be prioritized for research institutions and medical suppliers facing the highest exposure to trade disruptions.
Section 6. Strategic Reserve for Research and Clinical Supplies.
(a) The Department shall create and maintain a strategic reserve of essential research and clinical supplies.
(b) The reserve shall include reagents, personal protective equipment, diagnostic kits, and lab consumables.
(c) Institutions may request access to the reserve during periods of documented international trade disruption.
Section 7. Health Sector Trade Facilitation Services.
(a) The Department shall provide support to eligible institutions in: (1) Navigating customs clearance and import licensing; (2) Understanding international health material regulations; (3) Mitigating impacts of export controls or retaliatory tariffs on biomedical goods.
(b) The Department may collaborate with federal agencies to expedite resolution of customs or licensing barriers.
Section 8. Medical Supply Chain Vulnerability Advisory Board.
(a) There is hereby established the Medical Supply Chain Vulnerability Advisory Board.
(b) The Board shall: (1) Assess the resilience of critical healthcare and research supply chains; (2) Recommend policy actions to reduce reliance on vulnerable imports; (3) Issue annual reports to the executive and legislative branches.
(c) Membership shall include supply chain experts, medical professionals, academic researchers, and agency representatives.
Section 9. Severability. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
Section 10. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect on July 1 of the year following its enactment.