Following Reports of Slowdown in Medication Deliveries, Pappas Leads 31 Lawmakers Calling on HHS Secretary Azar to Stand Up for Postal Service
Members of Congress urge Azar to publicly state how a continued mail slowdown would impact U.S. health care system. Recent media reports show a slowdown in prescription deliveries.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, citing the detrimental consequences of any reduction in mail service to the U.S. health care system, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 31 Members of Congress in calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Azar to publicly defend USPS, urging him to "convey to the President and the public the significant negative impact that a reduction in USPS service would have on our health care system."
A reliable and efficient Postal Service is critical to ensuring patient access to care, especially for Americans who have pre-existing conditions or experience disabilities. USPS delivered 1.2 billion prescriptions in 2019, including almost 100% of the prescriptions from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The Postal Service also plays a critical role in the medical supply chain, delivering millions of pounds of medical supplies, testing kits, medicine, and personnel protective equipment to hospitals and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In light of the severe financial challenges facing the Postal Service, we write to share our deep concern that any reduction in service standards or move towards privatization would negatively impact the health of millions of Americans," the lawmakers wrote. "We therefore urge you to publicly convey to the President and his Administration the importance of the Postal Service to achieving HHS' stated mission to ‘enhance the health and well-being of all Americans'…Millions of Americans are relying on your leadership to ensure that they can retain access to lifesaving medications during the pandemic."
While Postmaster General DeJoy announced earlier this week that he was suspending operational changes, the lawmakers noted that this action alone was insufficient to assuage their concerns, writing, "…we are still concerned that if USPS does not receive emergency funding and maintain service standards, millions of Americans, especially those who are at highest risk during the current public health crisis, could lose access to the resources they need to keep themselves and their communities safe and healthy."