Bill Would Reduce Cost Of Prescriptions

Capitol Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over national health care policy, and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act – vitally important bipartisan legislation to tackle one of the biggest drivers of the high cost of prescription drugs, particularly for senior adults on Medicare. This builds on Sen. Menendez’s other legislative efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs for patients at the pharmacy counter.

The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act would ensure that patients can finally benefit from low- er-cost products instead of being forced to pay for higher-priced drugs solely because of pricing gimmicks used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the drug pricing middlemen. This legislation would clearly establish pricing “tiers” to separate lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilar products from name-brand drugs so that patients pay less out of pocket for truly lower-priced drugs, therefore incentivizing prices to drop for patients.

“I’m proud to be working with Sen. Lankford on this bipartisan solution, which takes on PBM discriminatory formulary practices that unfairly drive up the costs of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare Part D,” said Menendez. “I am committed to lower costs for my constituents and Americans all across the country at the pharmacy counter, and this legislation is another step towards reforming PBMs so they cannot continue gaming the system on the backs of patients.”

The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act requires:

• Medicare Part D to cover a generic or biosimilar if it costs less than its namebrand counterpart.

• Generic drugs or biosimilars to be placed on a generic/biosimilar formulary pricing tier and name-brand drugs to be placed on a brand tier, with the generic tier having a lower insurance cost-sharing requirement for patients than the namebrand tier.

• A new tier for specialty generics or biosimilars that would also have a lower insurance cost-sharing requirement for patients.

Sen. Menendez has long advocated for creating a more affordable health care system for every New Jerseyan and Americans across the country. Last year, he helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare, and he authored aprovision that also capped Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 a year.

Earlier this month, Sen. Menendez, alongside Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Okla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), led the introduction of the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act to delink the compensation of PBMs from drug price and utilization in order to better align incentives that will help lower prescription drug costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. At a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, the Senator pressed the witnesses about the impacts vertical integration of PBMs, pricing transparency, and insurer consolidation have on health care consumers. In March, Sen. Menendez questioned witnesses during a Senate Finance Committee about the impact PBMs have on the prescription drug supply chain and how their warped incentive structure drives up prices for patients and consumers. The Senator emphasized how PBMs prefer prescription drugs with a higher list price versus those with a lower list price because they can obtain larger rebates. PBMs do this even though the patient would pay significantly less if they selected the drug with the lower list price.

This April, Sens. Wyden and Crapo released a legislative framework to address PBMs and issues with the prescription drug supply chain. This framework aims to modernize and enhance federal prescription drug programs, with the goal of reducing drug costs for patients and taxpayers. Sen. Menendez will work to include the PBM Act and the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act in any drug pricing package that the Senate considers.

St Elisabeth’s Chapel By The Sea Gift Auction Is Back

at 7:30 p.m.

Only advance ticket purchase; cost is $15. limit 200 people. Call 732-831-4483 or 732-830-1425 for tickets. No one under 18 will be admitted.

Devil:

Continued From Page 4

The legend of the Jersey Devil has become integral to New Jersey’s identity, with countless sightings and eerie encounters etching themselves into the fabric of local folklore. Many maintain that the elusive creature continues to wander through the vast expanse of the Pine Barrens.

Two years ago, Susan Wolf, a senior citizen from Whiting, firmly believed she came faceto-face with the Jersey Devil. The incident occurred as Wolf returned home after visiting her boyfriend at Deborah Hospital.

“It was ten o’clock in the evening, and I was on Lakehurst Road,” Wolf said. “There was a lot of mist in the air as I neared Whiting’s bogs.”

According to Wolf, she was traveling in the righthand lane when the Jersey Devil came out from some trees on the left. He came within 20 feet of her windshield.

“He looked me in the eye like he knew what eye contact was,” shared Wolf. “He was about 4 or 5 feet tall and was flying with long bat wings that fluctuated very slowly. His nose looked like a moose nose.”

Wolf emphasized that she’s not the type of person to believe in conspiracy theories or anything outside the norm. Although the brief encounter frightened her, Wolf did not report anything to the authorities.

Over the years, others have claimed to have met up with the Jersey Devil and were startled by its piercing screams. Even before the appearance of unusual footprints in 1905, there were tales that Napolean Bonaparte’s brother came in contact with the Jersey Devil on his Bordentown estate.

Weird New Jersey has a collection of Jersey Devil stories, including one related by Sonny

D., who said he was at a drive-up in Bayville when an immense figure caught Sonny’s attention, sprinting across Route 9. It resembled the iconic portrayals of the Jersey Devil - a tailless, furless creature with visible ribs and an elongated head with short, flattened ears. Its towering stature almost reached ten feet. Meanwhile, located just a few miles away from the alleged legendary birthplace of the Jersey Devil, JD’s Pub & Grille proudly pays homage to its namesake.

Staff members interviewed at the establishment were unable to pass on accounts of close encounters with the Jersey Devil, providing no recent sightings or experiences to fuel the legend.

Nevertheless, patrons Jim and Barb Ryan have embraced the local folklore wholeheartedly. Their admiration for the Jersey Devil is evident as they adorned the rooftop of their home’s Tiki Bar with a captivating neon representation of the creature.

As the belief in the Jersey Devil persists, and the fascination continues to grow, the search for answers intensifies. Whether through books, the dedication of paranormal enthusiasts, or the spotlight of television shows, the legend of the Jersey Devil remains firmly embedded in local folklore. An enduring interest in the mystical creature has even led to the formation of dedicated groups determined to search out and uncover the truth behind the myth.

“I can summarize this whole Jersey Devil story with one sentence,” said Regal in an interview. “It’s not about a monster; it’s about the history of human hatred and fear.”

Regal and his Kean University colleague Dr. Frank J. Esposito have written a book called “The Secret History of the Jersey Devil,” published by John Hopkins University Press. It is available in paperback and as an e-book.

Government 0fficials... Have news that you would like the community to be involved with? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Send it to news@jerseyshoreonline.com.

The Rev. Dr. J. Francis Watson, Pastor 40 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting,

Crestwood Village 6

Residents Club News

WHITING – CV6 Residents Club meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Their next meeting is July 18. Check the bulletin board in the clubhouse or the Village Six Facebook page. They encourage residents to join by becoming a member and enjoying all of the events but to also sign up to help volunteer and be part of growth. Support all Crestwood Village Six activities.

The Residents club will be hosting a “Village 6 Country BBQ & Dance” on July 15 at the Deerfield Hall Clubhouse, from 6 to 10 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ Johnny. A BBQ buffet will be available for our guests. Snacks, dessert, soda, water, coffee and tea provided. BYOB. There will be door prizes, a true 50/50 and raffles. Tickets are $32 ($30 for 2023 Residents Club paid members) are being sold Mondays at the Crestwood Village 6 Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, from 10 to 11 a.m. Please note: There will be no tickets sold at the door on the day of the dance for this event. For questions or tickets call Kathy Casper between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 732-500-6155. You can also leave a voicemail message and someone will return your call. Menu of food/drinks being served are the following: fried chicken, sausage with onions and peppers, BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad, toss salad, coleslaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, soda, water, coffee, tea, and dessert (BYOB).

The Residents club will be hosting “1st Annual Uncanny Hootenanny” Square Dance on August 19 at the Deerfield Hall Clubhouse, from 6 to 10 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m. They will have Caller Betsy Gotta and her husband Roy. Snacks, dessert, soda, water, coffee and tea provided. BYOB and your own food for your table if you would like. Tickets are $12 ($10 for 2023 Residents Club paid members) are being sold Mondays at the Crestwood Village 6 Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, from 10 to 11 a.m. For questions or tickets call Kathy Casper between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 732-500-6155. You can also leave a voicemail message and someone will return your call.

The Resident club will be hosting a “See You In September” Dance on September 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Henry “Ocean DJ” Snacks, dessert, soda, water, coffee and tea provided. BYOB and your own food for your table if you would like. Tickets are $12 ($10 for 2023 Residents Club paid members) are being sold Mondays at the Crestwood Village 6 Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, from 10 to 11 a.m. For questions or tickets call Kathy Casper from between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 732-500-6155. You can also leave a voicemail message and someone will return your call.

The Crestwood Village 6 Indoor Flea Market will be held on September 30 at the Deerfield Hall Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Setup will be available on September 29 from 3 to 7 p.m. and September 30 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Tables are $12 interior and $15 on the wall. Village six members only may sign up until the end of July. There will be a silent auction, 50/50, breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Any questions call Julie Sutton 732-849-5363.

Manchester Day Rescheduled

MANCHESTER – Save the date!

Manchester Day is rescheduled for August 26. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at Harry Wright Lake with games, prizes, demos, rides, entertainment and fireworks.

Free shuttle service schedule is available from the municipal parking lot, Bowker Field parking lot and senior villages (main club house).

Manchester Recreation Farmers’ Market

MANCHESTER – Manchester Recreation Farmers’ Market has opened for the season! The market will be held at Manchester Town Hall, 1 Colonial Drive, Thursdays until August 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Manchester Recreation ay 732-657-8121 ext. 5102 or email recreation@manchestertwp.com.

Movies At The Lake

MANCHESTER – Manchester Recreation presents “Movies At The Lake.” Join at Pine Lake. Movie is free to the public. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

September 8 at 7:30 p.m. – Movie TBA

October 13 at 6:45 p.m. – Movie TBA

Zumba Classes

WHITIING – Crestwood Village VI announces Zumba with Ashley every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Deerfield Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, Manchester. All villages are welcome. For more information, call 609-405-3234.