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Dear Friend,
After a busy week in eastern Connecticut, I'm here with an update on new, staggering reductions in drug prices, a Plainfield manufacturer supplying batteries for NASA, and more from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Medicare Price Negotiations Bring New Rx Cost Savings for Seniors
Huge news. Yesterday, following two years of price negotiations between Medicare and big drug companies, the White House announced new lower costs on the first set of 10 medications. This is made possible by the long-awaited Medicare reforms I helped pass in Congress back in 2022.
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| New lower costs will go into effect in 2026. By 2029, Medicare will negotiate lower prices for as many as 60 medications. |
The cost reductions on 10 medications, which are used by over 100,000 seniors in Connecticut, range from nearly 40% to 80%. No longer will America’s seniors pay 2.5x more than the rest of the world for the medications they need.
The benefit of drug price negotiation is two-fold – it lowers costs for beneficiaries and strengthens the Medicare program's finances. Yesterday’s announcement is also a major game changer for Medicare's solvency.
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| Two years ago, Rep. Courtney led a procedural debate in the U.S. House of Representatives for the bill which made Medicare drug price negotiation possible. |
Let's be clear: every American should have access to lower drug costs through price negotiation. For far too long, big pharmaceutical companies have raised Rx drug costs without any need. In Congress, I’m standing up to Big Pharma and urging my colleagues to do the same. We must pass the Lower Drug Costs for American Families Act to extend these benefits to working age Americans!
Plainfield Battery Manufacturer Powers NASA’s Artemis Moon Mission
Eastern Connecticut's world-class manufacturing delivers results in all sorts of industries. On Monday, I visited Plainfield battery manufacturer BST Systems. They are a key supplier for NASA’s Space Launch System which will send American astronauts on their way back to the moon in the Artemis missions.
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| Rep. Courtney joined NASA and Northrup Grumman on a visit to Plainfield manufacturer BST Systems. |
In partnership with Northrop Grumman Space Systems, BST successfully redesigned and improved NASA’s qualified booster batteries previously used on the Space Shuttle, which saved NASA significant costs by allowing them to transition processes and tools on the Space Shuttle program to the new Space Launch System.
At their facility in Plainfield, BST Systems currently has 60 employees and is expecting future growth through their work with NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the aerospace industry. Back in 1998, BST Systems received NASA’s George M. Low Award, the highest NASA award for quality, in recognition for their achievements in support of the MARS Pathfinder program. BST Systems is the only battery company to ever receive this award.
There’s no question that eastern Connecticut is a national hub for manufacturing innovation. From the Hartford area to the Quiet Corner to the shoreline, I’m committed to supporting the hardworking manufacturers across our region.
A big thanks to the team at BST Systems for welcoming me and updating me on their work and growth.
Visiting the Groton Shipyard Following $1.3 billion Contract Award
The Navy recently released a $1.3 billon contract to Electric Boat to kickstart the next generation of Virginia class submarines. That means decades of more work in the pipeline for eastern Connecticut's world class shipbuilders and supply chain companies.
On Wednesday, I was the guest speaker at Electric Boat’s Summer High School Internship Program’s graduation ceremony. Over an eight-week program, this class of 51 students gained valuable skills and experiences in the metal trades, carpentry, and design – opening up all sorts of career paths for them.
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| Rep. Courtney speaks to high school seniors graduating from Electric Boat's summer internship program. |
Kudos to EB’s Human Resources department and the trade union leadership who organize and mentor these young workers. One intern from Fall River, MA got up at 4am everyday to drive to Groton – and was always on time! Congratulations to these seriously talented and motivated students!
Then, I stopped by the weekly Walk-In Wednesday job fair at the EB Employment Office. With a slew of work on deck, there will be good careers at the Groton shipyard for the coming years and decades.
Honoring the WWII Submarine Force at the VJ Day Parade in Moosup
It was great to march with the Navy Submarine School’s Silver Dolphins at the VJ Day Parade in Moosup last Sunday. The annual parade is one of the last active VJ Day Parades in the country which recognizes Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII in 1945. The parade was dedicated the WWII submarine force and led by Grand Marshal, the revered and highly respected retired Groton sub vet, Bud Atkins.
Celebrating Pride in New London
There was a huge turnout at New London’s Pride at the Beach last Saturday! Lots of local leaders, stakeholders, and community members joined to show strong support the LGBTQ+ community.
Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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