Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks Opposes Medicare Prescription Drug Price Controls

Local Congressional Representative, Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, says she’s opposed to having the federal government negotiate to lower the prices of prescription medicine covered by Medicare. Democrats have inserted this proposal in a bill that may be voted upon today (Friday). Miller-Meeks, an eye doctor, says prescription drug cost controls would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

The V-A has been able to negotiate the prices for prescription drugs for veterans under the agency’s care, but this would be the first time Medicare could negotiate prices for some of the medications prescribed to Americans over the age of 65. The plan would cover only the most expensive drugs and pricing negotiations wouldn’t start until 2023. Miller-Meeks suggests it’s a slippery slope. While Miller-Meeks doesn’t directly cite medications that have primarily been used to treat malaria or to deworm livestock, she’s critical of regulations during the pandemic which have prevented doctors from prescribing alternative drugs for Covid patients.

Miller-Meeks made her comments this (Friday) morning during an online forum organized by the House G-O-P Leader’s office.