¶ Overview
- Despite previously expressing concern about the high cost of prescription drugs, in 2022, Stauber voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare. He called the provisions “innovation killing price controls” and believed the Inflation Reduction Act was “egregious.”
¶ Stauber Voted Against Lowering The Price Of Prescription Drugs For Seniors
¶ Stauber opposed the inflation reduction act
8/18/22: Stauber Opposed The Inflation Reduction Act.
[Twitter, @RepPeteStauber, 8/18/22]
Stauber Criticized Price Negotiation Provisions Of The Inflation Reduction Act And Called Them “Innovation-Killing Price Controls.” According to a press release from Rep. Pete Stauber, “Some of the egregious provisions included, among many, in the misnamed ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ are the following: […] Innovation-killing price controls on new life-saving drugs and treatments, putting up to 342 new cures at risk of not coming to the market.” [Press Release – Rep. Pete Stauber, 8/12/22]
¶ 2020: Stauber Previously Claimed He Was Concerned About The Rising Cost Of Prescription Drugs
2020: Stauber Claimed He Was Concerned About The Cost Of Medications. According to a post on Rep. Pete Stauber’s Twitter, "November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Since arriving in Congress, I have heard from many living with diabetes who are struggling to cover the rising cost of insulin, which can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month. No one should be forced to choose between putting food on the table and affording lifesaving medications, which is why I have been fighting in Congress to lower the cost of insulin." [Twitter, @RepPeteStauber, 11/2/20]
¶ 2022: Stauber Voted Against The Inflation Reduction Act, Which Included Provisions Aimed At Lowering Prescription Drug Costs For Millions Of Americans
2022: Stauber Voted Against The Inflation Reduction Act Of 2022, A Multi-Billion Package To Address Climate Resiliency, Taxes, And Health Care Costs. In August 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stauber voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, “comprising a package of climate, tax and health care provisions.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to President Biden for final signage. President Biden signed the bill and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 420, 8/12/22; Congressional Quarterly, 8/12/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
- The Inflation Reduction Act Included A Cap On Out-Of-Pocket Costs For Seniors Enrolled In Medicare At $2,000 Annually. According to the Washington Post, “The prescription drug pricing reforms aim to help cut costs for seniors enrolled in Medicare. It caps their out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 annually, while allowing the U.S. government to negotiate the price of a small set of medicines beginning in 2026.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
- HEADLINE: “House Passes Bill Extending ACA Subsidies, Allowing Medicare Drug Price Negotiations” [Healthcare Dive, 8/15/22]
- The Inflation Reduction Act Required Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay Rebates To Health And Human Services If They Increase The Medicare Drug Prices Greater Than Inflation. According to The Washington Post, “Pharmaceutical giants, which forcefully opposed the bill, also would be required to pay ‘rebates’ to the federal government if they raise Medicare drug prices beyond the rate of inflation.” [The Washington Post, 8/7/22]
- HEADLINE: “Inflation Reduction Act Signed Into Law Will Cap Insulin Costs For Millions Of Americans” [Fox 13 News, 8/16/22]
¶ The Inflation Reduction Act Benefited More Than 118,000 Minnesota Medicare Enrollees Who Took Prescription Drugs Selected For Price Negotiation
More Than 118,000 Medicare Enrollees In Minnesota Took Prescription Drugs That Had Been Selected For Price Negotiation Made Possible By The Inflation Reduction Act.
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Minnesota, Viewed 4/6/26]