(PatriotPostNews.com) – After the federal government sold a major stockpile of helium, experts in healthcare supply chain have shared concern that it could have serious impacts on medical services in the future.
The deal for the Federal Helium Reserve—which produces as much as 30 percent of America’s helium—is expected to be finalized for the ownership of Messer, the industrial gas company that posted the highest bid for the sale. The deal would shift ownership and operation of the Amarillo, Texas-based reserve from the United States government to the private company.
MRI manufacturers and other trade organizations previously petitioned the government to delay the sale, citing various concerns including resources to operate the medical technology.
Because helium is crucial to the function of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, the medical world is now concerned that the soon-to-be privately owned Federal Helium Reserve will cause a shortage in resources needed to carry out the medical test.
While the sale would not result in a sudden disappearance of MRIs in American hospitals, medical professionals are “stressing about this shortage” that is expected, according to Premier Inc. senior vice president Soumi Saha. This company serves as a liaison between thousands of hospitals and helium providers. Saha explained that the use of MRI machines are “the No. 1 concern” with the sale.
Helium is needed to operate the machines because it is the coldest element found on the Earth. Specifically, liquid helium cools the magnets within the equipment, enabling the machines to generate high-resolution, inside images of a patient’s body.
Compressed Gas Association CEO Rich Gottwald explained that there could be numerous reasons why the reserve could temporarily shut down for up to three years, including resolving state rules for the facility that runs through three states and the development of an enrichment system.
The sale comes amid ongoing shortage of helium across the globe, which has presented itself as early as 2019 and continued to spark concern in 2022.
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