Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (D-NJ) told an audience at an Elizabeth senior center Tuesday the Inflation Reduction Act just passed by the U.S. Senate will improve their lives, arguing the downsized version of President Biden’s Build Back Better bill will help fight climate change, encourage clean energy, and make medicine for New Jersey’s 1.6 million elderly residents more affordable. The act lets Medicare negotiate lower drug costs and caps out-of-pocket payments.
“I’ve talked to seniors who’ve had thousands and thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs. That will be capped now, totally, at $2,000 per year, out-of-pocket medical expenses,” said Sen. Bob Menendez to applause. The House will vote on the measure on Friday, when another party-line vote on it is expected, with even reluctant Democrats apparently ready to vote yes.
