Because of the storms on the East Coast, we’ve been facing a huge shortage of IV fluids. These are only the most basic essentials for any hospital – IV fluids help resuscitate patients and provide hydration for patients who can’t consume enough water. They’re also essential for many procedures.
We live on the other side of the country from the areas affected by the hurricanes, yet we’re still being forced to operate our hospitals in crisis-like conditions. This is because one facility in North Carolina produces 60% of the nations supply of IV fluids. Have we learned nothing from the baby formula shortage?!
And why are there only four main producers of these essential fluids? Why couldn’t other factories have immediately shifted production to fill this need? Why does our healthcare system run on what is profitable instead of what is rational?
This shortage is just one more example of the capitalist system showing us its true colors – our healthcare system is vulnerable when profit matters more than human lives.
Click here to read the article printed in the 10-16-24 Healthcare Newsletter
