FCC Grants GE Healthcare Waiver to Expedite Medial Equipment from New Suppliers During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Federal Communications Commission granted GE Healthcare’s request for a waiver to allow the importation, marketing, and operation of certain GE medical devices from new suppliers for use in healthcare facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented strain on our nation’s healthcare system. The action taken by the FCC May 11 will enable GE Healthcare to overcome disruptions in the medical device supply chain as it addresses the surge in demand for critical medical equipment. Without the waiver, many of GE’s devices that are sourced from new suppliers or that contain new components would have required prior FCC equipment certification, which would delay GE’s ability to provide medical facilities with the equipment needed to treat patients.