Rep. Schrier Visits Issaquah Post Office, Shares Stories of Constituents Who Have Been Affected by USPS Slow Down
ISSAQUAH, WA – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) today visited the Issaquah Post Office to share stories of 8th district residents whose lives have been affected by delays and cuts to the U.S. Postal Service.
"I have heard from hundreds of my constituents over the last few weeks about life-saving medications and paychecks being delayed that have never been delayed before, including veterans and seniors on fixed incomes. I have my own experience with my own medication taking 14 days to arrive," said Rep. Schrier. "While I am glad that Postmaster Louis DeJoy announced today that he will stop his cuts to the U.S. Postal Service for the next few months, that doesn't erase the experience of my constituents who have been adversely affected medically and financially over the last few months. I will hold Postmaster DeJoy to his promise. Service must be restored as soon as possible."
At the Issaquah Post Office, Rep. Schrier shared the stories of her constituents, including:
Joy from Auburn: "I recently experienced a significant delay in the delivery of a first-class small package. According to the tracking information provided by the merchant, my package arrived at the Portland, Oregon, U. S. Postal Service mail processing center on Tues. Aug. 4th. Thirteen days later (on Aug. 17th), I finally received my package. The distance between Portland and Auburn is only 200 interstate highway miles. Waiting thirteen days for the mail delivery from Portland, OR to Auburn, WA. is not acceptable. To make matters worse, the delayed package contained urgently needed additional Covid-19 protection face masks for my family."
Mary from Enumclaw: "I am disabled. Medicare covers the treatment for my disability. However, I have to file my claims for Medicare using the USPS and Medicare pays my claims via USPS.
Due to the current USPS slow down, I am now two months behind in receiving my medical care claim payments. All medical claims have been approved by Medicare and checks have been issued. However, I have not received my June claim checks that were processed, approved and released on July 20th by Medicare. I mailed my July claim on August 1st. Medicare has still not received that claim. This is now $4,000 out of my pocket that I cannot afford. I have never had an issue with the Medicare claim process in the past. Turnaround from my mailing a claim, to Medicare processing the claim to me receiving a check, was 3-4 weeks prior to the current USPS situation. I am now at 8 weeks and counting for my June claims.
I have missed my August rent. The first time I have missed rent my entire 55 years due to the amount of money that is held up by the USPS. I am also having to stop my medical treatments until I receive my claim checks from June and July."