The Inflation Reduction Act, with its Prescription Drug Benefit for Seniors and major investments in clean energy (to the tune of 18,130 new Green Collar Jobs and $11.8 billion in clean energy funding statewide) have been a God Send for Arizona’s elderly and an emerging boom for the Grand Canyon State Economy.
At a Harris for President event in Tempe today, senior citizens including former Legislative District 18 Chairperson Janine Hydrick, raved about how the Inflation Reduction Act championed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, with no Republican votes, has made a positive difference in their lives with the capping of insulin costs to $35.00 (which benefits 28,000 Arizonans on Medicare) and the reduction in costs for nine other medications (including those for heart disease) that will reduce out of pocket prescription expenses to the tune of thousands of dollars in savings.
Hydrick called these benefits “A game changer, a life changer…It’s made life more affordable. It’s made life more possible…No one should be forced to choose between paying for groceries or their health care.”
She expressed confidence that a Harris/Walz Administration would build on what the Biden/Harris Administration has started and expand the Prescription Drug Benefit.
However, these seniors have concerns, as advanced by Dora Vasquez, the Executive Director of Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, that “the two roads before us could not be clearer. Either elect Vice President Harris who will support our older Arizonans or we send Donald Trump back (with Project 2025 and its Anti Obamacare/Inflation Reduction Act clauses) to the White House and face skyrocketing healthcare costs for seniors and working families.”
Several of Arizona’s leading Democrats also celebrated the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Senator Mark Kelly wrote:
“Two years ago, we passed the Inflation Reduction Act to make life more affordable for Arizona families and address some of the most pressing challenges facing our state and nation. Since then, Arizona families have seen real savings on prescription drugs and our state’s clean energy industry is booming. The progress we’ve seen is just the beginning, and I’m committed to ensuring every Arizonan benefits from the economy of the future we’re creating here in our state.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego posted on social media:
“Today marks the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, a transformative law for Phoenix. From creating good-paying jobs to reducing emissions, the IRA is shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for our families. With IRA funding, Phoenix is seeing a clean energy boom. We’ve secured millions for projects that reduce pollution, enhance infrastructure, and create great-paying, green jobs for our residents. In the wake of record-breaking heat, it’s clear that climate action is more urgent than ever. The IRA equips Phoenix with crucial resources to tackle climate change, improve community health, and build a more resilient future. The IRA is also helping Phoenix families save on energy costs with tax rebates and incentives for eco-friendly home improvements and electric vehicle purchases. Learn more about what you qualify for: https://phoenix.gov/sustainability/incentives/federal
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero offered:
“Today we are celebrating two years of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, a transformative investment that is helping us confront the climate crisis. Thank you to the Biden/Harris administration, Senator Mark Kelly, and Arizona’s Congressional Delegation. Thanks to this historic funding, we are protecting and securing our precious water resources, mitigating extreme heat by expanding our urban tree canopy and training our future urban tree leaders, and leading across the Southwest to adapt our building codes to protect our communities from drought, extreme heat, and wildfires.”
Representative and Democratic Senate Nominee Ruben Gallego stated on social media:
“Two years ago the Inflation Reduction Act became law and: -Cut healthcare costs for 200,000 Arizonans -Capped insulin at $35/month for 63,000 Arizonans -Expanded healthcare coverage to 41,000 Arizonans Send me to the Senate and I’ll keep fighting to make life easier for everyday Arizonans.”
Representative Greg Stanton posted:
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