Medical equipment: Difference between revisions

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===Powered wheelchairs===

These devices are essential for millions of people to work, interact with society, or simply get out of bed. ~~A few~~ companies control the market. ~~Wheelchairs~~ are often not built robustly, break down frequently, and companies make them hard and expensive to service or repair. This locks people people out of their lives and puts them at risk for health effects of being bedridden. Some US states, such as Colorado have enacted right to repair legislation in this area.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2022-06-07 |title=When DRM Comes For Your Wheelchair |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/when-drm-comes-your-wheelchair |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=EFF}}</ref>

These devices are essential for millions of people to work, interact with society, or simply get out of bed. In the United States, two companies control the market. Medicare only covers indoor wheelchairs, which are often not built robustly, break down frequently, and companies make them hard and expensive to service or repair. Even simple adjustments often require a service call. This locks people people out of their lives and puts them at risk for health effects of being bedridden. Some US states, such as Colorado have enacted right to repair legislation in this area.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2022-06-07 |title=When DRM Comes For Your Wheelchair |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/when-drm-comes-your-wheelchair |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=EFF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawryluk |first=Markian |date=2 Jun 2022 |title=Despite a First-Ever ‘Right-to-Repair’ Law, There’s No Easy Fix for Wheelchair Users |url=https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/power-wheelchair-users-right-to-repair-law-no-easy-fix/ |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=KFF Health News}}</ref>

===Software===

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 ===Powered wheelchairs===
-These devices are essential for millions of people to work, interact with society, or simply get out of bed.  A few companies control the market.  Wheelchairs are often not built robustly, break down frequently, and companies make them hard and expensive to service or repair.  This locks people people out of their lives and puts them at risk for health effects of being bedridden.  Some US states, such as Colorado have enacted right to repair legislation in this area.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2022-06-07 |title=When DRM Comes For Your Wheelchair |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/when-drm-comes-your-wheelchair |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=EFF}}</ref>
+These devices are essential for millions of people to work, interact with society, or simply get out of bed.  In the United States, two companies control the market.  Medicare only covers indoor wheelchairs, which are often not built robustly, break down frequently, and companies make them hard and expensive to service or repair.  Even simple adjustments often require a service call. This locks people people out of their lives and puts them at risk for health effects of being bedridden.  Some US states, such as Colorado have enacted right to repair legislation in this area.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2022-06-07 |title=When DRM Comes For Your Wheelchair |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/when-drm-comes-your-wheelchair |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=EFF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawryluk |first=Markian |date=2 Jun 2022 |title=Despite a First-Ever ‘Right-to-Repair’ Law, There’s No Easy Fix for Wheelchair Users |url=https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/power-wheelchair-users-right-to-repair-law-no-easy-fix/ |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=KFF Health News}}</ref>
 ===Software===