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Hello everyone,
Earlier this week, I spoke to a number of you during a telephone town hall with AARP Colorado about the Inflation Reduction Act, which will significantly help lower prescription drug and health care costs for Coloradans.
For the first time, the bill requires Medicare to negotiate drug prices on behalf of the American people. I proposed this back in 2017 with Senator Tim Kaine in a bill called Medicare-X, and Pharma fought us tooth and nail so they could keep charging Americans drug prices that no other industrialized nation would tolerate.
The Inflation Reduction Act finally overcomes Pharma and caps out of pocket expenses for seniors to $2,000 a year. That’s going to give over 700,000 Coloradans on Medicare Part D some peace of mind that they won’t have to spend down their retirement to pay for their prescriptions.
At the beginning of the year, I met a woman named Gail who told me she’s lived with Type 2 diabetes since she was 11. The vial of insulin she has to buy costs $6 to make, but she pays over $280 for it. She doubts she’ll ever be able to retire, because she’s spending all her money on insulin. I’ve heard stories like Gail’s across our state – and it’s why we capped insulin payments for people on Medicare to $35 a month in this bill. We would’ve capped it for everyone, but Republicans blocked it.
We also were able to include a three-year extension of a tax credit to help millions of families -- including over 150,000 Coloradans -- afford their health care premiums. When you add it all up, the Inflation Reduction Act is the biggest step we’ve taken on health care since the Affordable Care Act.
But we have to keep going and build on the historic progress we’ve made. We need to make sure that every American has access to affordable health care, and that every senior can retire with dignity, after a lifetime of contribution to our country. That’s what I’m committed to doing.
Sincerely,
Michael
P.S. Attention Colorado high school students: Every year, two Coloradans are selected to represent our state at the U.S. Senate Youth Program’s Washington Week. If you’re interested in learning more about our government, our democracy, and careers in public service, apply here by October 12.
URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND KEEP U.S. SPACE COMMAND IN COLORADO
This week, I had a phone call with President Biden. We spoke about the importance of keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado for our national security. The Trump administration used an untested basing process for Space Command that not only lacked transparency, but ignored national security and costs. I told President Biden that our national security must be the key consideration for selecting a permanent headquarters for Space Command. Any fair and well-informed process that prioritizes our national security will conclude that Space Command should remain permanently based at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.
President Biden and I also discussed the importance of protecting Colorado’s public lands and making Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range a national monument. Last month, Senator Hickenlooper, Congressman Neguse, Governor Polis and I urged the president to use his authority to designate Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range a national monument through the Antiquities Act, as well as use his executive power to protect other lands in the CORE Act, including the Thompson Divide and areas within the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Across the country and state, veterans, elected leaders, conservationists, and outdoor recreationists have come out in support of this effort and called on the President to swiftly take action. You can read what they are saying about this effort HERE.
LISTENING TO COLORADANS FOR THE NEXT FARM BILL
Across Colorado, I have heard from farmers and ranchers about the toll severe drought, increased prices, and our broken immigration system has taken on their operations. This year, my team and I will hold more listening sessions than ever before to ensure next year’s Farm Bill reflects the priorities of Colorado. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I have worked closely with my Senate colleagues to craft Farm Bills using input from Coloradans during listening sessions.
In the coming weeks, my office will hold listening sessions in Southwest Colorado, the San Luis Valley, and the Denver area. Anyone with input on the Farm Bill process is welcome to attend or submit input through my Senate website, including local producers, community leaders, economic development leaders, and local institutions and businesses. I look forward to carrying your ideas and concerns back to Washington to ensure we write a Farm Bill that works for Colorado.
(Listening to Colorado producers with USDA Secretary Vilsack in Palisade)
WELCOMING THE VA’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON ABORTION ACCESS
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will offer abortion services to veterans and their dependents in cases of rape and incest, or when the life of the woman is at risk. This significant decision follows my calls on the VA to allow the Veterans Health Administration to provide abortions. I’ll keep pushing the agency to provide these services to all veterans— regardless of their circumstances.
CELEBRATING JUDGE GORDON GALLAGHER’S NOMINATION TO THE FEDERAL BENCH
This week, President Biden nominated Judge Gordon Gallagher to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. For decades, Judge Gallagher has sought to achieve justice and equality under the law for Coloradans, especially those along the West Slope and in Tribal communities. With his robust experience on the federal bench and unwavering commitment to the law, he will be a terrific addition to the District Court, and I look forward to supporting his nomination during the confirmation process.
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