Representative Sharice Davids Tours Local Medical Device Supplier Affected by Semiconductor Shortage, Calls for Supply Chain Solutions

Published in Government Relations on January 27, 2022

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This week, Representative Sharice Davids toured Cherub Medical Supplies, a Shawnee-based supplier of pediatric medical devices that is grappling with long delays due to the current shortage of critical materials like semiconductors. Davids joined Cherub and another local company, Lenexa-based Reliable Medical Supplies, to urge passage of legislation that would reduce our reliance on foreign-made materials and deliver these lifesaving devices to Kansans in need.

Rep. Sharice Davids speaks with Cherub Medical Supply Director of Operations Sam Cress.

(Rep. Sharice Davids speaks with Cherub Medical Supply Director of Operations Sam Cress.)

“These local businesses are doing their best to work around supply chain issues and get lifesaving machines to the children and adults who are dependent on them to stay healthy, but we can be doing more to help them,” said Davids. “I’m working to get legislation like the CHIPS Act across the finish line so that we can strengthen our domestic supply chain, lower costs, and make these critical materials here at home.”

Semiconductors, or chips, are necessary components of many medical devices, including the CPAP machines provided by Cherub and Reliable to over 72,000 sleep apnea patients in the Kansas Third District. The current global chip shortage has contributed to inflation on goods from cars to smartphones—and to a growing waitlist for lifesaving medical devices. Cherub works primarily with kids who need these machines to return home safely from the hospital, supplying home medical equipment such as oxygen monitors and ventilators. Reliable serves over 800 clients in the Kansas City area, including nursing homes.

“As a small business caring for medically fragile children in Kansas City, we have faced many issues due to rising costs, semiconductor supply chain shortages, and declining reimbursement. We look forward to partnering with Rep. Davids regarding these concerns to champion and protect the families we serve,” said Sam Cress, Director of Operations at Cherub Medical Supply.

Davids has been a vocal proponent of the bipartisan CHIPS Act, which would boost domestic manufacturing of these critical materials and reduce our dependence on foreign-made goods. It currrently awaits full funding through the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which has been passed by the House and the Senate. If funded, it would provide $52 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor production, including $2 billion targeted to the research and development of mature node semiconductors, known as legacy chips, which are critical for medical devices, smartphones, cars, computers, and more.

“As a local provider of home medical equipment, we are experiencing unprecedented interruptions as we try to provide for our patients. The shortage of semiconductor chips has meant long backorders for equipment and uneasy delivery times for our patients. We look forward to working with Rep. Davids and her colleagues on the Hill to find ways to remedy this situation,” said Nick Hulsing, Owner of Reliable Medical Supply.

Davids has been actively working to reduce global supply chain issues and lower costs for businesses and consumers. She introduced the SUPPLIES Act, which create a $100 million grant program for small and medium manufacturers that shift their production to manufacture PPE and testing supplies during future public health emergencies. It would also prioritize manufacturing these supplies domestically, reducing our country’s dependence on foreign countries for medical supplies and eliminating price gouging of life-saving materials.

Rep. Sharice Davids tours Cherub Medical Supply in Shawnee, Kansas