From the Office of Rep. Joe Morelle

December 2, 2022

Dear JOHN xxxxxx,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. I want to thank all of you who sent well wishes during my recovery from rotator cuff surgery and following the birth of my newest grandson, Lincoln Benedict Morelle. Now, I’m back in Washington to continue fighting for our families. Read more below.

Fighting Breast Cancer

For me and my family, the fight against breast cancer is personal. Many of you know that my daughter, Lauren, battled Triple Negative Breast Cancer with extraordinary courage and tenacity before passing away in 2017. Since then, I have been passionate about working to strengthen care and resources for the millions of men and women facing a cancer diagnosis—especially one that is terminal.

This week, I partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to author an Op-Ed in The Hill calling on my colleagues in Congress to pass the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. This important legislation would eliminate the waiting period for those with metastatic breast cancer to receive support through Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare, making the difficult journey of a late-stage cancer diagnosis a bit easier. Congress has an opportunity—and a moral obligation—to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of men and women fighting breast cancer by passing this legislation, and we urge them to do so swiftly.

Read our Op-Ed here: The government must act now to improve the lives of people with terminal breast cancer

Upholding Our Commitment to Veterans

Congressman Morelle speaking to veterans.

Earlier this year, I voted to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act, landmark legislation to strengthen healthcare benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service. On Tuesday December 13^th, the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Rochester will be hosting an informational session to help veterans in our community understand how to access these new benefits.

If you or someone you know may be eligible to receive these benefits, please consider attending this event to ensure you are taking advantage of the healthcare you have rightfully earned.

Read: Veterans Affairs Clinic will hold session in December on healthcare benefits under PACT Act

Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors

Congressman Morelle meeting with constituents.

Medicare is a critical lifeline for seniors in our community, and there’s only a few days left to take advantage of Open Enrollment for next year. Thanks to legislation I helped pass, Medicare beneficiaries will start to see lower prescription drug costs for 2023—including reducing the price of insulin to just $35 per month. Soon, the price of other prescription drugs will start going down as well, helping more people afford the life-saving medications they need.

These savings are going to make a huge difference in the lives of so many families, and I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues in Congress to make them a reality. I look forward to taking additional action to lower the cost of healthcare and strengthen the Medicare program for generations to come.

Visit medicare.gov to enroll in Medicare today.

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family.

Warmest personal regards,

Joe Morelle

New York’s 25th Congressional District