Kelly Leads Senate Colleagues Urging Continued Action to Address IV Fluid Shortage Amidst Hurricane Recovery
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, joined by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA), sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra urging continued action to address the critical intravenous (IV) fluid shortage affecting hospitals across the nation. This shortage, caused by the temporary closure of Baxter International’s manufacturing plant in North Carolina due to flooding from Hurricane Helene, has created significant challenges for healthcare providers in Arizona and across the country.
The senators’ letter comes in response to the production halt at Baxter International, the largest manufacturer of intravenous (IV) solutions in the United States, which produces nearly two-thirds of the IV fluids used in U.S. hospitals. While federal agencies—including HHS, FDA, and ASPR—work to increase supply from other manufacturers, allow temporary importation of product from abroad, and provide guidance on compounded alternatives, hospitals across the country, including in Arizona, continue to face shortages and need clear communication to effectively plan for the months ahead.
“The uncertainty created by reduced product deliveries has led to conservation policies in health facilities across our states. After orders were recently cancelled, some providers have reported having only single-digit days’ worth of product on hand, while others are utilizing over the-counter oral hydration solutions like Gatorade—and fear reduced allocations of those alternatives as well. While providers are seeing promising results from HHS’s actions so far, we must ensure this progress continues.” wrote the senators.
“As you take the necessary steps to increase production of IV products at alternative domestic sites, facilitate the expedited arrival of additional product from overseas, and review product shelf life to consider extensions, we ask you provide clear and continuous communication to health providers on their options and the path forward as communities recover from this storm and any impact that may stem from Hurricane Milton.” the senators conclude.
Additionally, the letter highlights that the federal response must especially prioritize safety net, rural, and tribal providers whose patient communities will be most at risk in the face of continued shortages.
Read the full letter to Secretary Becerra here.
