Dear Friend,

I hope you and your loved ones had a safe and relaxing Fourth of July. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the story of America. How exactly two hundred and forty-eight years ago, our founding fathers — guided by an abiding faith and a desire for democracy — embarked on the greatest experiment of all time.

The story of America is one of progress, promise, and potential. This holiday is a reminder that it is on all of us to continue the epic narrative of America so we can protect our democracy and our most fundamental freedoms in order to forge a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

This Week in Delaware

Supporting Wilmington Students and their Families

The Community Education Building (CEB) in Wilmington supports students and their families through a holistic and collaborative approach. The CEB houses four schools and serves over 1,500 kindergarten through college age students. It also includes a wide-ranging network of partners — from Teach for America to ChristianaCare — within the building. The goal is to advance equity in education, empower families, and ensure that every child can succeed in school and at home.

It’s why I was proud to join Senator Chris Coons in announcing a $3 million federal investment in the CEB that we secured alongside Senator Tom Carper. That investment will be used for improvements to the building including its HVAC system, Fire Suppression System, elevators, outdoor lot, and lobby as well as creating a Youth Development Center. CEB hopes to include workforce development opportunities, an early childhood center, gymnasiums, a black box theater, and outdoor space in the center. You can read more about our announcement and its impact on the Wilmington community in WDEL and Delaware Public Media.

Above: There Dupont, CEB Board Chairman, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Sen. Chris Coons listen to Mr. Jaron Johnson, Great Oaks Charter School Staff Member, give remarks.

This Week in Washington

Protecting and Expanding Medicare 58 Years Later

This past Monday marked 58 years since Medicare’s services began. For almost six decades, Medicare has been a lifeline for seniors in Delaware and across the country, ensuring that the more than 67 million beneficiaries today receive the quality health care they deserve. I’m proud to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen Medicare such as the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) we passed last Congress which is lowering health care and prescription drug costs for seniors.

I’ve been spreading the word about these historic provisions. That’s why, in May, I brought Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Biden Administration, to the Wilmington Senior Center. She is responsible for Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance Marketplaces nationally.

Our conversation with seniors focused on how the IRA is lowering costs through: 1) the $35/month cap on insulin, 2) the yearly cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, 3) expanded eligibility for Medicare Part D’s Extra-Help Low-Income Subsidy, 4) free recommended vaccines for Medicare beneficiaries, and 5) Medicare’s power to now negotiate the price of prescription drugs. I'll continue to work with my colleagues and the President to ensure our seniors can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.

Below are some helpful resources for you:

• Lower Energy Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped pass last Congress, there are opportunities to lower your energy costs through tax credits and rebates. Check out energy.gov/save to learn more. 
• Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up-to-date! You can go to travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
• Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to passportappointment.travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel. You can utilize this resource until September!
• 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org. 
• Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline. 
• Student Loan SAVE Program: The Biden Harris Administration announced the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan. This program is income-driven and calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any Income-Driven Repayment plan available to nearly all student borrowers. To apply for the SAVE Plan, go to studentaid.gov/idr.
• U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more about at exchanges.state.gov/us.

This week’s constituent corner celebrates all the Delaware students who recently competed at the 47th annual HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Houston. HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in global health through education, collaboration, experience, and innovation. At the conference, students participated in competitive events that included: medical math, public health, behavioral health, community awareness, and more. Congratulations, everyone! Keep making Delaware proud!

• Physical Therapy: Gold — Alicia Guajardo, Sussex Technical High School; Advisor Carolyn Maull
• Dental Terminology: Top 10 — Sudipa Chowdhury, Newark Charter School; Advisor Melanie Mundell
• Emergency Medical Technician: Top 10 — Heidi Thompson and Brayden Fields, St. Georges Technical High School; Advisor Jennifer Immediato
• Epidemiology: Top 10 — Akshaj Bais, Newark Charter School; Advisor Melanie Mundell
• Human Growth and Development: Top 10 — Arjun Bharath, Middletown High School; Advisor Deb Otto
• Interviewing Skills: Top 10 — Maria Pulido, Sussex Central High School; Advisor Christine Frazier
• Medical Assisting: Top 10 — Rocio Garduno Castaneda, Delcastle High School; Advisor Jessica Henry
• Outstanding HOSA Achievement: Lindsay D’Ambrogi, Kyli Doyon-Baridon, Emily McCullough, and Lily Joyce from Cape Henlopen High School; Advisor Linda Sapienza
• Barbara James Service Award: Gold — Claire Keach, Newark Charter School. Silver — Carter Porter, Indian River High School. Bronze — Aanya Gupta, Newark Charter School. Bronze — Arjun Bharath, Middletown High School. Bronze — Michelle Zhou, Newark Charter School. Bronze—Conner Jackson, Newark Charter School.
• ABC Blood Drive Recognition: Bronze—Sussex Technical High School

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

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