Dear Friend,

November 1 marked the beginning of the open enrollment period! If you sign up before January 15, 2025, your coverage will begin February 1, 2025. If you sign up before December 15, 2024, your coverage will start on January 1, 2025. This year, the average person in Delaware saved $1,080 on their premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which I was proud to champion in Congress. Go to Healthcare.gov or CuidadodeSalud.gov today to find a new plan or renew your current plan.

And as a reminder, the Medicare Open Enrollment period runs through December 7! Thanks to the IRA, we are lowering health care and prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, including capping the cost of insulin at $35/month. As a result of the IRA, it’s estimated that 48,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware will save a total of $12.3 million in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications this year. I’ll always be a champion in Congress for our seniors. To change your plan or select a new plan, be sure to go to Medicare.gov.

Advancing Environmental Justice for Near-Port Communities

Ports across the nation are critical pieces in keeping our supply chains strong – and the flow of goods – moving. And we are proud of the incredible port workers, many or most union workers, who bolster our local and national economies. Since coming to Congress, I have worked with our frontline and fence line communities, including our near-port communities, to advance environmental justice and ensure their health and safety.

That’s why, this week, I was proud to announce a federal investment of more than $127 million in Port Wilmington through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program established by the historic Inflation Reduction Act. This is part of a $3 billion investment by the Biden-Harris Administration in zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure. The Clean Ports Program is based on my Climate Action Planning for Ports Act, and this funding will enable the Port to attain electric cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure. 

This investment is a significant step forward in addressing the health and safety of those who work and live near Port Wilmington while protecting our environment, creating more good-paying union jobs, and keeping our nation competitive. You can read more about the announcement in The News Journal and E&E News.

Recommitting to the Fight Against Breast Cancer

For our last “Mammography Monday,” where I shared a fact or an insight about breast cancer each Monday throughout October, I was joined by my best friend, Michelle. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and I am grateful that she was willing to share her experiences with us.

Whether you've been diagnosed, are a survivor, or are supporting others who are battling breast cancer, I hope you'll find strength in Michelle's story. Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but my commitment to fighting breast cancer doesn’t expire. So, if you have not booked your screening or mammogram – do it! And afterward, make sure that your mother, your sister, and your friends have scheduled theirs. Do it for your loved ones, but more importantly, do it for yourself. We are in this fight together. You can watch our conversation here.

Make Your Voice Heard

Election Day is Tuesday! Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, so I encourage you to make a plan to vote. In Delaware, you can vote early or in person today and tomorrow from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm or in person on Election Day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you have an absentee ballot, that has to be returned by 8:00 pm on Tuesday to ensure your vote is counted. You can go to ivote.de.gov for more information on when and where to cast your vote!

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. 
• Calculate Your Potential Savings: The Biden-Harris Administration’s actions are helping to lower costs and put more money back into the pockets of Americans across the country. You can calculate your potential savings at Invest.gov/Savings.
• 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!
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): The State Department recently launched a new version of STEP. STEP is a free service for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates by email from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling in STEP also makes it easier to contact U.S. citizens during an emergency. You can sign up for these alerts at login.gov.
• 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. 
• 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.
• Protecting Your Data: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, legislation protecting the personal data of Delawareans, goes into effect on January 1, 2025. You can go to this website from the Delaware Department of Justice to find out how it will impact consumers, parents, and businesses in our state.
• Free COVID Tests: Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, every household in the United States can get four free COVID tests that will be shipped to you through the United States Postal Service. You can order your tests today at covidtests.gov.

Wednesday marked National First Responders Day, so for this week’s constituent corner, I am highlighting all the courageous and selfless first responders across our state. We in Delaware know the risk our first responders take when they put on their uniforms and go to work each day. That’s why I’m a proud member of the Congressional EMS Caucus in Congress. And it’s why I voted for the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which was signed into law, to ensure that fire departments across Delaware have the resources they need to train and prepare. A big thank you to all our first responders for keeping our communities safe!

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester with members of the Christiana Fire Company.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester with members of the New Castle County Police at her Constituent Resource Fair in New Castle.

As always, if you ever need assistance with federal agencies, please contact my office. My team can help with a wide range of issues including (but not limited to):

• United States Postal Service
• Social Security Administration
• Veterans Affairs benefits and services
• Passport and visa processing
• Citizenship and naturalization

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

Contact Me