Miller-Meeks Leads Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), alongside Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) are leading bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to more affordable prescription drugs.

Patients are too often steered toward higher-cost brand-name drugs, even when safe, effective, and significantly cheaper generics or biosimilars are available. That’s driven in part by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) prioritizing rebates over patients, leaving seniors paying more out of pocket. 

The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act, would require Medicare Part D plans to place certain lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilars on more affordable formulary tiers than their higher-cost brand-name counterparts, and prevent plans from putting added roadblocks in the way of patients trying to use lower-cost options.

“America’s seniors should never be forced to pay more for their prescriptions when lower-cost options are available. Generics and biosimilars save billions, yet too often seniors are steered toward higher-priced drugs that benefit middlemen, not patients,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “This bipartisan bill puts seniors first by lowering out-of-pocket costs and ensuring they can access the affordable medications they deserve.”

“For too many seniors, prescription drugs are far too expensive, even when more affordable options exist,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Medicare patients should not be pushed toward a brand-name drug that costs more when a safe, effective and less expensive alternative is available. This bill is a commonsense step to help lower drug costs and put power back in the hands of patients and providers, not big insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers.”

“One part of the biotech social contract is ensuring that brand drugs go generic without undue delay,” said Congressman Auchincloss. “This bill strengthens that mechanism by ensuring generics and biosimilars get the formulary placement that drives down both co-pays and premiums.” 

This is about fairness, transparency, and putting patients and providers back in charge of their own health care decisions. It will help lower costs for seniors and deliver real savings for Medicare without government price setting. This bill ensures that when a lower-cost medicine is available, seniors actually have access to it. 

This bill is endorsed by the Association for Accessible Medicines.

Full bill text available HERE.

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