Senators Shaheen & Hassan Call on Postmaster General to Fully Reverse Changes That Have Caused Delivery Delays of Prescription Medication
WASHINGTON – Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined colleagues in urging Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to fully reverse the changes that he has made to the agency that have resulted in widespread delays, including for the delivery of medications for Granite Staters and Americans.
“In your three months as U.S. Postmaster General, you have made detrimental operational and structural changes to the U.S. Postal Service,” the Senators wrote. “After facing criticism from members of Congress, states, and the public as well as lawsuits from multiple state attorneys general you announced the reversal of some—but not all—of these policies. Damage from your decisions has already been done as Americans continue to experience potentially life-threatening delays in the delivery of prescription medications. These delays will continue to disproportionately harm the same individuals who are most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis, including seniors, people with chronic conditions, and people with disabilities.”
The Senators continued, “As Postal Service delays cause Americans to worry when, if at all, they will receive their next supply of medication in the mail, patients across the country may be forced to seek their prescriptions in person at a pharmacy—increasing their risk of exposure to COVID-19 at a time when staying home is vital to their health and well-being. We call on you to immediately reverse all operational and organizational changes that have resulted in life-threatening delays of critical medications to Americans.”
Senators Shaheen and Hassan are working to protect the Postal Service and reverse the harmful changes that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has made to the agency that have resulted in mail delivery delays of essential goods, such as prescription medication.
Senator Shaheen is working to protect the United States Postal Service and its employees against attacks from the Trump administration. This week, she filed an amicus brief in support of legal challenges to recent operational changes implemented by the USPS that have resulted in unreliable service and widespread delays ahead of the 2020 election. She called for answers on mail delivery concerns that they have heard from Granite Staters. Shaheen previously called on the newly-appointed Postmaster General to answer for the recent changes to long-standing operations that have slowed mail delivery, including demanding immediate action following reports of significant delays in veterans’ prescription medications. Additionally, Shaheen has repeatedly called for additional funding to support the U.S. Postal Service in the next COVID-19 relief package. Last month, Shaheen hosted a video call with unions representing New Hampshire employees of USPS and stood with postal workers to condemn the Trump administration’s attacks on the USPS.
The text of the letter is available here.
