ventilators

Medical technology companies — sometimes working with carmakers — have been massively increasing production of ventilators. For two weeks, they've been working without government contracts in hand.

The automaker is working with GE Health to build a simple ventilator licensed from a small medical technology firm. The government has been pushing automakers to help make the vital medical equipment.

Doctors say the machine that helps some people with sleep apnea keep their airway open at night won't be enough to help an ill COVID-19 patient breathe and could spread the coronavirus to bystanders.

Medical device manufacturers are asking the Trump administration to centralize decisions about how to prioritize which orders from states, local governments and hospitals should be filled first.

A law that allows the executive branch to direct industrial production is being used to spur firms to step up their output of scarce items, such as face masks and ventilators.