Dear Neighbor, The Medicare enrollment period is open NOW until December 7th! With Medicare Open Enrollment now underway, I wanted to share important details with you regarding recent improvements to Medicare that are lowering costs for seniors in New Jersey and across the country. As the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act into law. This new law – made possible by Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration – finally gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. It also reduces costs for seniors in several other ways. The cost of insulin for seniors with diabetes is now capped at $35 a month. Recommended vaccines, like those to treat shingles, are now free for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage. And, starting in January, total out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 a year, no matter how expensive your drugs are. That means that seniors will never pay more than a total of $2,000 per year for prescription drugs covered under Medicare–including expensive drugs that treat cancer and chronic illnesses. In addition to these cost-saving benefits, Medicare has negotiated with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices for ten of the most expensive and most frequently used prescription drugs in Medicare. These new, lower prices will go into effect in 2026, and Medicare will continue to negotiate prices for additional drugs each year for the foreseeable future. You can learn more about Medicare benefits and review your options at Medicare.gov. New South Amboy Park and Playground This week, I announced $250,000 in new federal funding to help transform a vacant lot near South Amboy’s Middle High School into a brand-new park and playground. This funding is a significant investment in South Amboy’s future that will create a safe space where children can play and grow — fostering a sense of community and well-being. This new park is expected to accommodate up to 33 children at a time, meeting national childcare standards for outdoor play areas. Landscaping plans, including shade-providing trees and native plants to encourage children’s interaction with nature, and a nearby parking area, which provides easy access for driving parents, will also be repaired and reconfigured to meet safety standards. Taking Action to Protect New Jersey Residents and Reduce Crime I joined Governor Murphy in Edison to highlight the signing of legislation to help reduce home invasions and residential burglaries. New Jersey has consistently ranked as one of the safest states in the country, but many residents are rightfully concerned by the recent uptick in home break-ins and robberies. Governor Murphy and the State Legislature took decisive action to address these concerns by passing this new law – a commonsense measure that will hold home invaders accountable, provide peace of mind to New Jersey residents, and help law enforcement keep our communities safe Click to Cancel If you can click to subscribe, you should be able to click to cancel. It’s a commonsense concept that became official this week when the Federal Trade Commission announced a new rule that will require sellers to make it easier for consumers to cancel their enrollments. With this new rule, you’ll no longer have to jump through senseless hoops and hurdles just to cancel the subscriptions you no longer want. This new action from the Biden-Harris Administration will save you both time and money. Contact me!  If you ever need any assistance, please contact our offices either through my website, or call our offices directly (Middlesex County: 732-249-8892; Monmouth County: 732-571-1140.) My door is always open to you. Sincerely,