Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have reached out to the Biden-Harris Administration, urging action to address a critical shortage of IV fluids in the United States. The senators sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, requesting the use of the Defense Production Act to bolster production by smaller manufacturers. This request comes after Hurricane Helene severely damaged Baxter International's manufacturing plant in North Carolina, which produces over half of the nation's IV fluid supply.

The damage has led to significant challenges for healthcare providers, who are now delaying non-emergency procedures to conserve IV supplies for urgent cases. Senator Scott had previously contacted Secretary Becerra, pressing for answers and emphasizing the need for reliable access to essential medical supplies such as dialysis equipment and IV solutions.

In their letter, Senators Scott and Rubio stated: “While importing supply from approved manufacturers abroad can be helpful in the short-term, HHS must do more to expand approvals and resources to all capable domestic IV fluid manufacturers by invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) and other agency supportive actions to increase domestic production. HHS must also commit to greater transparency in its actions regarding the current available supply so healthcare providers can plan accordingly.”

The senators highlighted concerns about potential long-term consequences if efforts are delayed further. They stressed that timely restoration of IV fluid supplies is crucial, especially with an expected rise in patients during the winter respiratory season.

The letter included several questions directed at HHS, seeking clarity on why the DPA has not been invoked, whether there are plans to extend shelf life for certain medical solutions nearing expiration, how imported supplies' safety is ensured, and how response protocols might be improved for future shortages.

Senator Scott also encourages Floridians affected by recent hurricanes Milton and Helene to seek assistance through his website or state emergency management resources.