The average US tariff rate climbed to roughly 17% in 2025 — the highest in three decades, up from less than 3% before. Pharmaceutical tariffs proposed by mid-to-late 2026 could reach 200%. While the Supreme Court struck down certain IEEPA-based tariffs on February 20, 2026, tariffs imposed under other statutory authorities remain in effect. Goldman Sachs estimates that consumers will absorb roughly 70% of tariff costs in 2026 as inventories deplete, translating to $592 billion in higher prices for US households.

For families navigating disability, that translates directly to wheelchairs, walkers, adaptive equipment, AAC devices, and specialty medications. Most durable medical equipment is manufactured in China and Southeast Asia. AAC hardware comes from abroad. Specialty medications for rare diseases often depend on foreign active pharmaceutical ingredients. When tariff chains hit those supply lines, the end price rises — and families already fighting insurance denials face a new barrier.

What's Getting More Expensive

Durable medical equipment: Wheelchairs, walkers, patient lifts, adaptive seating, positioning devices. Manufacturing is concentrated overseas; tariff costs pass through distributors and land on retail and insurance reimbursement rates.

AAC devices: Speech-generating devices, communication tablets, eye-gaze hardware. Most components are manufactured abroad. Even software-only solutions run on hardware subject to tariffs.

Pharmaceutical products: Specialty medications for rare genetic conditions, seizure disorders, metabolic diseases. Many rely on imported active ingredients or are manufactured entirely outside the US. Proposed tariffs up to 200% could make some medications financially inaccessible.

Replacement parts and repairs: Wheelchair wheels, joystick controllers, battery packs, mounting hardware. If the primary device cost rises, so do consumables and parts.

The PCE durable goods price index rose 1.4% in 2025 due to tariffs alone. Projections for 2026 show continued increases as old inventory clears and new tariff-laden shipments arrive.

Where Families Can Still Find Funding

State Assistive Technology Act programs: Every state operates an AT program offering device loans, refurbished equipment sales, and financial assistance. Many run equipment lending libraries where families can borrow devices at no cost while awaiting insurance approval or funding.

Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): Grants for adaptive sports equipment, including sport wheelchairs, handcycles, and prosthetics. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Manufacturer refurbished programs: Most major wheelchair and mobility device manufacturers offer certified refurbished equipment at 30–50% below new retail. Warranty coverage is often included.

DME loan closets: Community organizations, rehabilitation hospitals, and disability nonprofits maintain equipment lending programs. Devices are loaned for short-term or long-term use, often with no income requirements.

Medicaid assistive technology coverage: Medicaid covers a broad range of AT devices and services. Coverage varies by state, but wheelchairs, AAC devices, and environmental controls are typically included.

ABLE accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses, including assistive technology, without jeopardizing means-tested benefits.

Vocational rehabilitation (VR): State VR agencies provide AT devices and services for working-age adults when the technology supports employment goals. No income cap in most states.

Buying groups and bulk purchasing: Some disability nonprofits negotiate group pricing with manufacturers and distributors, passing savings to members. Ask local independent living centers and family resource centers if they participate in buying cooperatives.

What Families Should Do Now

Lock in pricing on planned purchases: If you have an equipment approval pending or a device nearing replacement, finalize the order before tariff-adjusted pricing takes full effect.

Explore refurbished and pre-owned equipment: Certified refurbished devices carry manufacturer warranties and meet the same safety standards as new equipment, at a fraction of the cost.

Check state AT program inventory: Many state programs maintain stockpiles of donated or refurbished devices available for purchase or loan. Inventory turnover is fast; check frequently.

Review Medicaid and insurance coverage annually: Eligibility rules and covered item lists change. Devices previously denied may now be covered under updated policies.

Apply for grants early: CAF and other grant programs have limited annual funding. Applications submitted early in the fiscal year have higher success rates.

Ask prescribing clinicians about generic alternatives: For specialty medications, ask if a therapeutically equivalent generic or biosimilar is available. Tariff impact may be lower on drugs manufactured domestically or in countries with favorable trade agreements.

Join disability buying cooperatives: Independent living centers, parent networks, and condition-specific advocacy groups sometimes organize group purchases. Bulk orders can secure better pricing even in a tariff-inflated market.

Tariffs are a policy decision, not a medical necessity. Families shouldn't have to choose between rent and a wheelchair, or insulin and an AAC device. The funding alternatives listed here exist because that choice has always been too common — tariffs just make it more urgent.

For updated tariff impact data and economic analysis, see JP Morgan's tariff tracking research, Yale Budget Lab's economic effects tracker, and The Fulcrum's inflation impact analysis.