America’s medical innovation edge is worth protecting
Few American industries embody what a serious manufacturing policy should look like better than medical technology. While policymakers debate how to bring critical production home, medtech is already there. It supports nearly three million jobs across 17,000 facilities in all 50 states, generates more than $250 billion in annual economic output, and supplies roughly 70% of the domestic market with American-made products.
Since 2017, medtech companies have invested more than $300 billion in domestic manufacturing, including facilities and equipment. These are well-paying jobs — the average compensation tops $100,000 a year. The industry alone shipped nearly $80 billion in products abroad in 2024, more than autos, semiconductors, or natural gas, and runs trade surpluses with China, Japan, India, Brazil, and Canada.
