Prescription Drug Costs, NETWORKing with Nuns and MORE -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Reining in Prescription Drug Costs

Dear John,

Close to 8,000 seniors on Medicare in the Eighth Congressional District are now getting a month's supply of insulin for just $35 with no deductible to pay. It's just one of several drug-related provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act kicking in this year.

The Inflation Reduction Act, which I voted to pass last summer, aims to make it easier for Americans, particularly the elderly, to afford their medications. Additional measures taking effect in 2023 include allowing seniors to get more vaccines at no charge and penalizing drug makers that raise prices higher than inflation.

Although the change to cost of insulin went into effect Jan. 1, plans have a March deadline to put this system in place. That means if you paid more than $35 a month for insulin in January or February, you should request reimbursement for the overage.

For more information on the new insulin measures, you can click here.

With the Inflation Reduction Act now the law of the land, we finally have the power to rein in Big Pharma's price gouging and reduce medical costs for seniors, working families and the federal government.

That's why I am proud to have supported this transformational legislation.

NETWORKing for the Common Good

I had a great discussion with Sister Donna Korba and her fellow IHM sisters and associates in my Scranton office this week.

They were representing NETWORK, a Catholic social justice organization, and we discussed key pieces of legislation that were passed to benefit the American people.

I'm proud to have a voting record of 100% for 2022 in favor of issues that are important to NETWORK and the Common Good. This includes the Inflation Reduction Act, Respect for Marriage Act and Supreme Court Security Funding Act, all of which were signed into law last Congress.

I'm grateful for the IHM sisters and associates for their collaboration and advocacy. By working together, we can make our country a more equal and just place for all Americans.

All Aboard! Pittston to Jim Thorpe on the Reading & Northern Railroad

Starting May 27, you'll be able to board a train in Pittston bound for Jim Thorpe. Known as the "Switzerland of Pennsylvania," Jim Thorpe is a charming town in the Pocono Mountains with a number of shops, restaurants and outdoor activities to enjoy.

This excursion is a nostalgic reminder of our nation's past that was powered by the railroads that crisscrossed our country transporting people to their destinations. Best congratulations to Mayor Mike Lombardo for securing this asset for Pittston!

As you know, I’ve been quarterbacking the effort in Washington to connect our area to New York City by passenger rail. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it happen, thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and strong collaboration between state and federal governments and community partners.

Continue to watch this space for more updates about this vital transit initiative.

National Radio Conference

Coming to Scranton

Dr. Nathaniel Frissell is an assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at the University of Scranton.

Dr. Nathaniel Frissell of the University of Scranton received a $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to bring the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Workshop to Scranton next month.

The workshop will bring some of the brightest scientific minds and amateur radio enthusiasts together for a weekend of collaboration and discussion on radio science, space science and space weather.

As the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee that funds the NSF, I am proud to see this funding coming back to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Dr. Frissell is doing incredible work to educate the next generation of scientists while conducting cutting edge research. I am proud to help him secure the funding he needs to pursue those endeavors.

You can read more about Dr. Frissell and the HamSCI Workshop here.

Calling All High School Artists!

I am proud to announce that my office will once again be hosting the Congressional Art Competition this year.

Submit your paintings, drawings, prints, collages, graphic art and photographs for a chance to have your work hanging in the Capitol in Washington DC.

The deadline to submit artwork is April 12. Artwork does not need to be framed to be entered. Full rules and regulations to follow.

Contact my Scranton District Office at 570-341-1050 with any questions.

I'm looking forward to another District Work Period next week so check your inbox next Friday for what I was up to around Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Until then,

Be safe and well,

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