Scott Whitaker of AdvaMed has requested the White House to postpone the privatisation of the Federal Helium Reserve, highlighting potential supply chain issues that could affect medical technologies, especially MRI machines that rely heavily on helium for operation. The US government's sale of the reserve raises concerns for healthcare providers due to helium's essential role in MRIs and the limited global production of the gas, with the current war and crises affecting major trade routes and production areas. The sale of the reserve, crucial for up to 30% of the US' helium could lead to temporary supply disruptions. Although alternative MRI technologies using less helium are emerging, they are not yet widespread, and the industry is closely watching the impact of this sale on healthcare services.
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