Bills · HR 5605
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5605Health
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2025
INTRO SEP 26· LAST ACTION SEP 26
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
25
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because modern medical devices increasingly rely on digital screens, making them difficult or impossible for millions of Americans who are blind or have low vision to operate independently. If this bill becomes law, it would ensure that essential home medical equipment, which helps people manage conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea, is usable by a wider population, promoting self-care and reducing reliance on others. This can lead to greater safety and accuracy in managing personal health, as well as significant improvements in daily autonomy for individuals with vision impairments.
Without this bill, many people with vision impairments would continue to face barriers to using common home medical devices, potentially leading to increased healthcare costs (due to reliance on in-person assistance or professional care) and disparities in health outcomes. It addresses a growing concern as more healthcare shifts from hospitals to the home, highlighting the need for technology to be inclusive from the start.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a nonvisual accessibility standard for certain home-use medical devices with digital interfaces.
This is the core of the bill, ensuring that devices are designed to be equally effective and easy to use for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
PROVISION 02
Allows the Secretary of the FDA to grant waivers to manufacturers if applying the standard would fundamentally alter the product or cause undue hardship.
This provides flexibility for manufacturers, acknowledging that full compliance might not always be feasible or practical for every device.
PROVISION 03
Requires the FDA to conduct training for manufacturers on how to comply with the new accessibility standards.
This helps ensure manufacturers understand the requirements and can implement them effectively, promoting consistent compliance.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that the FDA consult with accessibility experts and individuals who are blind or have low vision when developing the standards and training.
This ensures that the standards are practical, relevant, and truly address the needs of the intended beneficiaries.
PROVISION 05
Sets a timeline for the FDA to issue proposed and final regulations for implementing the new standards.
This creates accountability and a clear schedule for the development and enforcement of the accessibility requirements.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 25
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
27
BILLS LED
40
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 32%
DEM 21 REP 4 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSSEP 26
Introduced in House
SEP 26
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5605
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 26, 2025
Last actionSep 26, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025
House BillHR 5605Health
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2025
INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 26, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
25
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
