Shaheen Leads NH Delegation Letter to Baxter International Urging Increased Supply and Reliability of IV Fluid Amid Shortage

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is leading the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Baxter International today, urging it to address IV fluid supply issues in the state by improving the reliability of shipments and increasing the amount of IV fluid delivered to New Hampshire health care providers. Following damages to Baxter’s IV fluid and dialysis solutions production facility in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene, New Hampshire hospitals, doctors and paramedics have worked diligently to extend their existing supplies of IV fluid to prevent service disruptions. The letter urges Baxter to provide New Hampshire providers with accurate information on what IV supplies will be delivered to the state. The letter was signed by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01). 

In part the delegation wrote, “In recent weeks, Baxter International has repeatedly failed to deliver the amount of IV supplies that they have promised to our hospitals, and our frontline health care providers have reported a dwindling inventory of IV fluids that threatens to disrupt surgical services for Granite State patients. We are requesting immediate action from Baxter to provide an updated timeline for delivery of IV fluid for the state.”

The delegation continued, “While we understand distribution is a complex process, given reports that IV fluid deliveries are unreliable, Baxter must take steps to increase the amount of IV fluid delivered to New Hampshire and improve the reliability of these shipments. This matter is especially urgent as the winter season approaches when providers need an increased supply of IV solution to meet the usual surge in complex care during the colder months.”

The full text of the letter can be found here. 

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