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Postal cutbacks could hurt rural Americans

If the proposed U.S. Postal Service cutbacks go into effect, Rural Americans could feel the pain much more than others.  Faced with red ink, the Postal Service is proposing changes to first class delivery and has a number of small post offices, mostly in rural areas, slated for closure.  Missouri Rural Crisis Center Program Director Rhonda Perry, tells Brownfield that could especially hurt senior citizens who are less likely to use the internet to pay their bills and many are unable to travel longer distances to get their mail, “It is a very serious issue for farmers, for rural families and really, particularly, for senior citizens who often don’t have the ability to travel and to connect in other ways.”

And, Perry says, there could be serious medication delays, “Veterans in rural areas who depend on the V-A for their medical service are completely dependent upon the U.S. Postal Service for receiving all of their medications.”

Areas where broadband internet still hasn’t arrived, along with reduced postal services, Perry says, would create a double hardship for rural residents. She urges people to contact their lawmakers to express their concerns about the proposed Postal Service cutbacks.

AUDIO: Rhonda Perry, Missouri Rural Crisis Center (7:00 mp3)