WEEKLY REVEREND WRAP: Reverend Warnock Leads Passage of Inflation Reduction Act, Including His Proposals To Lower Prescription Drug Costs 

Also This Week: Warnock Celebrates Wins for Georgia After Jobs and Competition Bill, Veterans Health Bill Both Signed Into Law

This week, Reverend Warnock led the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation that  includes Warnock’s proposals to lower prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare and cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Georgians on Medicare. This win for Georgia will finally allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, lowering costs while saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and decreasing the federal deficit. Meanwhile, Herschel Walker opposes this health care victory for Georgians.

In other good news for Georgians, two bills led by Reverend Warnock were signed into law this week – first, the jobs and competition law to boost Georgia manufacturing jobs, strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign nations like China, and then the PACT Act to provide healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Warnock for Georgia also released a new ad featuring Georgia Veteran Adam Tomblin who discussed the importance of the PACT Act.

Also this week, Warnock announced federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law he secured to upgrade MARTA, legislation protecting Tybee Island from severe weather, and continued fighting to expand access to health care for Georgians. 

WARNOCK LEADS PASSAGE OF INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, INCLUDING HIS PROPOSALS TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

This week, after Reverend Warnock’s months-long fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. Senate, Warnock’s proposals to lower prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare and cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Georgians on Medicare passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill also includes health care savings for Georgians and finally gives Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Georgia seniors. The legislation will lower costs, bring good-paying jobs to Georgia, all while reducing the federal deficit.

Watch WTOC’s coverage HERE

Mike Cihla, WTOC: “[the bill] seeks to rein in prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients. That part of the bill was introduced by Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. He praised the passage of this in writing: 

Reverend Warnock: “From saving seniors money by allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, to expanding vital healthcare subsidies, to greening the economy, this legislation will make a lasting impact on Georgians lives.”

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Senate approves spending bill, with votes from Warnock and Ossoff

• The U.S. Senate approved a health care, tax, and climate change package that had been stalled for over a year.

• “I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future,” said Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock.

• The bill allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices with drug makers, requires big corporations to pay a minimum 15% tax on profits, extends subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for another two years, and includes a series of tax incentives to help with climate change.

• “Thank you, Georgia — you made this possible,” Warnock said, another reminder that the Biden agenda would have gone nowhere if not for the Senate runoff victories by Warnock and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in January 2021. Both Warnock and Ossoff joined with all other Democrats to ward off a series of Republican amendments, as the Senate stayed in session for over 27 straight hours to approve a cornerstone of the Biden agenda.

• The bill will cap monthly insulin copays for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 per month, an achievement Warnock celebrated after the Senate vote. 

• “This bill will strengthen health care access and lower health care costs for people across Georgia,” he said in a tweet. Warnock also tried to expand Medicaid coverage in Georgia and other states under the Obama health law. While Democrats support that move – that was not part of the deal with Sinema – so, it was voted down 94-5.

The Atlanta Voice: Senate Democrats pass key budget plan; victories for Biden, Ossoff and Warnock

• Senate Democrats secured a key victory as they passed a package that would include provisions for climate, health care and tax bills Sunday afternoon. The legislation will invest in clean energy initiatives that seek to drive job growth while addressing climate change, extend expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies designed to curb rising health care costs, and lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

• The two major pieces of legislation that Senator Reverend Warnock introduced are included in The Inflation Reduction Act are bills to cap insulin costs at $35 a month for patients on Medicare, and his plan to cap the cost of prescription drugs for seniors at $2,000 a year. 

• “I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future that will lower costs for Georgians, create clean energy jobs and reduce the deficit all at the same time,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I’m especially proud that the legislation includes two provisions I introduced to cap insulin costs for Medicare patients at $35 a month, and to limit the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. This bill will strengthen health care access and lower health care costs for people across Georgia.”

• “I’m not in love with politics, I’m in love with change—and this legislation will make real change in people’s lives. From saving seniors money by allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, to expanding vital health care subsidies, to greening the economy, this legislation will make a lasting impact on Georgians’ lives,” continued Senator Warnock.

Watch WRBL’s coverage HERE

Phil Scoggins, WRBL: “The Democrats legislative victory could not have happened without Georgia voters replacing two Republican senators with two Democrats in January 2021. 

Teresa Whitaker, WRBL: “WRBL’s Chuck Williams talked to one grassroots Democrat who says she campaigned and canvassed tirelessly for just this moment. Chuck joins us now.”

Chuck Williams, WRBL: “During the 2020 campaign cycle, Laura Walker was the leader of the Muskogee County Democrats. She knew the possibilities that Georgia could unseat Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, and this legislation was exactly what she was working for. That’s why Walker spent hundreds of hours campaigning for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both in the November 2020 election and then in the January 2021 runoffs. Both candidates spent considerable time campaigning in Columbus. Just before the runoff, Ossoff and Warnock brought then Vice President Kamala Harris to a Columbus rally. Sunday, the votes of Ossoff and Warnock and Harris passed the legislation 51/50 along party lines. The bill includes 369 billion for climate and clean energy investments, will raise more than 300 billion in revenue after imposing a new minimum for corporate taxes, and it will allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.”

WARNOCK-BACKED VETERAN HEALTH CARE BILL BECOMES LAW

After months of Reverend Warnock fighting to expand health care for veterans, the PACT Act was signed into law this week. The bill would provide health care coverage to the nearly 350,000 Georgia veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their military service. The PACT Act is part of Reverend Warnock’s extensive record of fighting for Georgia’s veterans and military families. In a new TV ad from Warnock for Georgia, Georgia veteran Adam Tomblin of Lavonia, applauds Reverend Warnock’s work to expand health care to veterans harmed by exposure to toxic burn pits during their military service.

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Warnock highlights law to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits

• U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is promoting his support for a new law that expands medical benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic open-air burning pits of trash on U.S. military bases.

• The Democrat launched a TV ad Friday that features Adam Tomblin, a Marine Corps veteran who praises Warnock for backing legislation that expands benefits for servicemembers exposed to fires at military bases where chemicals, electronic equipment and other toxins were burned.

• “We were there to serve our country, but in the process we were exposed to toxic chemicals and denied proper care when we got home,” said Tomblin. “But Raphael Warnock has changed things. He helped pass a law to expand healthcare for tens of thousands of Georgia veterans.”

• Biden signed the legislation into law after a yearslong effort by veterans and their loved ones to make it easier for those who were exposed to the poisons to secure medical benefits. Known as the PACT Act, it sets aside $280 billion in federal funding for additional veterans benefits.

WARNOCK-BACKED JOBS AND COMPETITION BILL SIGNED INTO LAW 

This week, after a year-long push led by Reverend Warnock, the jobs and competition bill — bipartisan legislation that will boost Georgia manufacturing jobs, strengthen our supply chains, and reduce reliance on foreign nations like China — was signed into law.

The jobs and competition law will provide long-awaited support for cities like West Point, where a KIA plant was shut down for days due to a lack of semiconductor chips.

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Could the Columbus area become a regional technology hub? It’s possible.

• Could the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika area become a regional technology hub? Will Columbus State University get more federal grant dollars?

• Warnock said Columbus is one of the Georgia cities well positioned to take advantage of the new legislation.“It means jobs, jobs, jobs,” he said. “It means investment in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and the future workforce.”

• Columbus is considered one of 102 prime locations for technology hubs based on research from MIT professors Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson, authors of “Jump-Starting America,” Warnock said.

• “We need to make sure that the incredible human potential doesn’t leave Columbus for the West Coast,” Warnock said. “This is a part of our state with a lot of smart people… These tech hubs would look to bring together government, the private sector (and) university resources to spur innovation, which is the fuel for our economy.”

• As a smaller institution, Columbus State could gain from the expanded pool of federal STEM funding promised. One NSF program that Columbus State University currently participates in, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, should see a 50% increase in the number of scholarships awarded over the next five years, according to the bill.

Watch WLTZ’s Coverage HERE

Katrice Nolan: “The Kia plant in West Point Georgia not only produces cars, it also manufactures semiconductors or chips that are used in nearly every electronic item you use on a daily basis.”

Stuart Countess, CEO of Kia Georgia: “It’s certainly been growing in everything that we use as a consumer, whether it’s in your iPhone, your laptops, PlayStations, you pick the topic, there are semiconductors in everything.” 

Katrice Nolan: “And with growth, comes demand. Therefore, Senator Warnock says he introduced a bipartisan technology bill with one component of helping the Kia plant and production of semiconductors on U.S. soil.”

Reverend Warnock: “This bill will ensure, and invest in the domestic production of CHIPS.”  

Katrice Nolan: “Currently only 12% of semiconductors are produced in the U.S., China leads the market. According to Senator Warnock, he saw a need after a recent visit to the plant.” 

Reverend Warnock: “I recently visited the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, a plant that shut down on a couple of occasions, not for a lack of customers, but because of a lack of chips.” 

Katrice Nolan: “And leaders at the Kia plant say the bill is needed to make sure the supply chain is not interrupted again.”

REVEREND WARNOCK FIGHTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR GEORGIANS

This week, Reverend Warnock announced an effort to assist Georgians in accessing affordable health care. His proposal sets out to invest over $300 million in the Augusta University and Grady Health Systems. 

WRDW: Funds for AU Health hailed as a way to boost access to care

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have approved the “GA-AIDE” proposal to invest more than $300 million into the Grady Health and Augusta University Health systems.

• Georgia’s Democratic U.S. senators said the money will open up access to quality care for Georgia’s most vulnerable populations.

• The new programs will focus on strengthening pediatric and maternal care, preventing and reducing the impact of chronic health conditions, improving access to screening and preventive health care, and addressing systemic health care inequities.

• Warnock said: “I’m glad to see the Administration heeded our call to expand health care access for vulnerable Georgians. The federal government’s investment in the Grady Health and Augusta University Health Systems will dramatically improve child and maternal health, make it easier to treat substance abuse, and bolster health care facilities that have worked to weather the pandemic.”

• Last year, Ossoff and Warnock secured $306 million to help support more than 1,500 hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices across rural Georgia.

WJBF: AU Health to receive millions in federal funding to expand preventative health care access

• $300 million coming to Grady Hospital in Atlanta and Augusta University Medical Center will help expand access to preventative health care.

• The new funding will focus on developing programs to enhance children’s and women’s health and improve access to screening and prevention services.

• The funding will also go toward strengthening pediatric and maternal health care in Georgia which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.

Watch WRDW’s coverage HERE

Nick Proto, WRDW: “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have approved the GA Aid proposal to invest more than $300 million into Grady Health and AU Health systems. Georgia’s democratic U.S. senators say the money will open up access to quality care for the state’s most vulnerable populations. The new programs will focus on strengthening pediatric and mental care, improving access to screening, and more. Georgia senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock announced their approval yesterday. Last year, Ossoff and Warnock secured more than $300 million to help support.”

REVEREND WARNOCK SECURES FUNDING FOR MARTA UPGRADES

This week, Reverend Warnock announced he secured a $25 million federal investment to upgrade MARTA’s Five Points downtown station. The funding was made possible thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Law Warnock passed in the Senate last year. The funding will create good-paying jobs for Georgians, increase ridership, and improve safety for passengers. 

WSB: Five Points MARTA station to get $25 million overhaul

• Big improvements are coming to the Five Points MARTA station.

• Sen Jon Ossoff, Sen. Raphael Warnock and Rep. Nikema Williams just announced a $25 million overhaul of the station, which is part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

• “The more easily Georgians can get from place to place, the more they thrive, and the more our communities and economy thrive,” Warnock said.

• The project includes improving the bus bays, revitalizing the station plaza and bringing new life to the public spaces around the station.

WARNOCK FIGHTS TO PROTECT TYBEE ISLAND

Reverend Warnock continued fighting to protect residents of Tybee Island by successfully pushing the passage of the Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act in the Senate, legislation to protect the island and its residents from severe weather and the impacts of climate change.

WTOC: Senate passes Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act

• Tybee Island is one step closer to securing federal help in maintaining its shoreline. The U.S. Senate recently passed the Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act. It’s a bill that would secure federal funding to help the beach community curb the effects of climate change and storm surge. The bill would continue a federal partnership to help the island combat climate change and storm surge.

• The original partnership was slated to end in 2024. “This is a very nonpartisan bill because it’s literally protecting our shoreline, it’s protecting the coast, it’s protecting lives, it’s protecting marine life,” said Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions.

• Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock cosponsored the bill. According to Ossoff, Tybee Island has experienced 10 inches of sea level rise since 1935.

• Under the bill, Tybee officials would work with the Army Corps of Engineers to nourish areas affected by erosion and bolster existing sand dunes to combat storm surge. “The dunes and the sand is really the first line of defense against storm surges, against bad waves, any type of tropical storms, or nor’easters that we experience during the year so we are really pleased,” said Sessions.

• And beachgoers who have lived through the devastation of hurricanes said they are optimistic about the possible extended partnership with the federal government. “A few years back, I think it was about 4 or 5 years back, we had a hurricane come through and our house actually got about 2 inches of water in it. And so we’re hoping that the dunes and the extra sand will help protect the houses when the hurricanes come through,” said Tybee Island homeowner Emily Stillwell.

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