Supply chain challenges have become a kitchen table issue during the past few years, with more Americans than ever before appreciating the need to maintain steady delivery of essential products. Largely borne by the pandemic and the economic downturn that followed, international bottlenecks of microchips and other key components, especially in the technology space, have heightened the public’s attention on the many steps it takes to ensure delivery of consumer goods.

But preserving the health care supply chain is uniquely important. This is not a matter of ensuring timely delivery of gaming systems or stabilizing the used car market. This is a matter of facilitating the delivery and administration of life-saving medical products.

Colorado deserves its recognition as a leading hub for innovation in the medical space. In many ways, we are situated at the beginning, middle and end of the health care supply chain. Hundreds of life sciences and medical device companies employ thousands of Coloradans, we can count multiple world-class medical institutions and hospitals among our ranks, and we’ve seen considerable population (patient) growth in cities big and small. That’s all worth protecting.

And make no mistake, innovation is an iterative process. The complex medical technologies of tomorrow, that will improve patient outcomes and further empower our incredible health practitioners, are in development today. The medical device sector is making leaps and bounds – improving existing products and developing solutions we can’t yet even imagine.

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Of course, none of it makes its way to the patient and their providers without a robust supply chain. From the initial manufacturing phase of a product to delivery and execution in the operating room, each step of the process is equally important. And much of it is often overlooked. For example, sterilization of medical devices is a crucial element of the supply chain, responsible for ensuring medical tools and devices are safe to use with patients without risking infection. From basic operating room tools like surgical kits and sutures, to more advanced devices like pacemakers and heart valves, all of these devices are sterilized with the utmost care – including right here in Colorado, enabling crucial access for our health professionals and facilities.

In this space, and across the board in health care, avoiding overreach at the regulatory and legislative levels is paramount. We all share the goals of protecting public health, working toward minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring communities around manufacturing facilities are safe. Full stop. Given the stakes are so high, there is a need for robust collaboration between government officials and the health sector when it comes to implementing recent air quality-related legislation and considering any new rule-making that follows.

We look forward to working with officials in Colorado to take a science-based, level-headed approach to challenges facing the health care sector. We can all appreciate the robust regulations already in place and allow for our leaders in the medical device space to continue to save lives. Balance in the supply chain is crucial, and we can avoid tipping the scales in the wrong direction by continuing to collaborate on patient-first solutions.

Jansen Tidmore serves as the president and CEO of the Jeffco EDC, which includes the West Metro Chamber and Leadership Jeffco.