WORKING TO BRING DOWN THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

Prescription medications help millions of Americans manage chronic conditions, treat illnesses, and even save lives. Unfortunately, the drug industry’s middlemen – pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) – often engage in harmful practices that drive up the cost of medication for patients. That’s why I’ve cosponsored the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act, which is a bipartisan effort to protect patients from harmful practices that raise out-of-pocket drug costs.

Specifically, the proposal would prohibit the use of “copay accumulator” schemes that health plans and PBMs developed to pocket a patient’s copay assistance by excluding the cost-sharing assistance from counting towards a patients’ deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. I’ll continue working on commonsense legislation that will help make health care more affordable.

Learn more about the HELP Copays Act:

$25.7 MILLION BROADBAND INVESTMENT IN RURAL OREGON

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced Oregon will receive $25.7 million to invest in expanding reliable, high-speed internet access to households, businesses, and farms!

Broadband expansion is a top priority of mine, and I'll continue working to secure the funding needed to complete these projects so we can close the digital divide.

MODERNIZING THE PASSPORT APPLICATION PROCESS

In response to unprecedented passport processing delays at the Department of State, I recently joined several of my colleagues to introduce the Passport Modernization Act. The bipartisan proposal would make the passport application process easier and more efficient by increasing staff and expanding oversight.

I want to provide Oregonians with a less stressful travel experience by ensuring their applications can be completed in a timely manner. In the meantime, my team is always available to assist Oregonians who have problems getting their passport, and I encourage constituents to contact my office with any questions or problems they are experiencing. Below is a testimonial from a constituent we were able to help recently!

SUPPORTING OVERTIME PAY FOR BORDER PATROL AGENTS

The humanitarian crisis at our southern border continues to worsen, with a nearly 30 percent jump in encounters between June and July. The U.S. is now on track to meet or surpass the number of record-setting encounters from last year fiscal year, which was 2,378,944.

When I met with Customs and Border Patrol at the border earlier this year, it was clear that they were struggling and overwhelmed – and they were asking for our help. That’s why I joined several of my colleagues this week in support of boosting overtime pay for Border Patrol agents. They work long hours, and sometimes in dangerous conditions, to keep both our communities and migrants safe, and they deserve our support. Read our letter by clicking below:

ONE MORE THING!

Since taking office nearly eight months ago, I've hit the ground running to fight for the 5th District. From returning over $250,000 to Oregonians to closing 351 federal casework requests, we've already accomplished a lot together – and we're just getting started!

Thank you for reading my weekly newsletter. It's an honor to be your voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Your thoughts, concerns, and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to get in touch by calling (202) 225-5711 or by visiting my website at chavez-deremer.house.gov.

Sincerely,