IA-01 Town Hall: Rep. Miller-Meeks Votes Create Cost-of-Living Crisis for Rural Iowans as Prices Increase Across the Board

Last night, over 50 Iowans attended a “rising prices, rural voices” town hall in DeWitt, IA to discuss the ongoing cost-of-living crisis rural Iowans are experiencing. 

Local leaders and community members discussed the impact of rising prices on farmers, manufacturers, and local residents, and shared how these increased costs are making it increasingly challenging for ordinary Iowans to put food on the table, pay for their healthcare, and keep their farms and businesses afloat. 

Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who recently said she would hold an in-person public town hall when 'hell freezes over' declined the invitation to attend. She promised her constituents that she would lower prices, improve jobs, and protect the health of Americans. Instead, Iowans are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket as a result of tariffs she supported, cuts to federal Medicaid spending she voted for, and the expiration of Affordable Care Act health care tax credits that help thousands of Iowans afford their health care premiums. 

Tammy McClimon, from DeWitt, said that rising costs are making it hard for Iowa families to stay afloat. 

“Across rural Iowa, families are feeling the squeeze,” McClimon said. “Costs are rising for everything — healthcare, medicine, groceries, and farm supplies — and it’s becoming harder for people to keep up. We need an honest conversation about what’s driving these prices.”

Kay Pence, the vice president of Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans, spoke about how the crisis impacts older Iowans. 

“Almost 43 percent of Iowa’s residents aged 65 and older live in rural areas – this is far more than most other states,” Pence said. “Access to services and supports that promote health and independence are critical for seniors, especially seniors in rural areas – a growing segment of our state’s population. I'm concerned the cuts authorized in the Republican Tax Law will make it impossible for Iowa’s seniors to remain in the communities they love.”

Matt Russell, a Marion County farmer and the executive director of Iowa Farmers Union spoke about how family farms are seeing less and less investments in what they do. 

"Iowa Farmers Union has been successfully fighting for more investments in diversified family farmers and rural communities including supporting farmers who want to invest in conservation, farmers who want to grow food for students, seniors, and families struggling to afford healthy food, and all Iowans who need access to affordable health care.” Russell said. “Unfortunately these successful investments have now been cut by the Trump Administration. We keep asking Rep. Miller-Meeks to stand up for Iowans and push back against these cuts. We continue to be disappointed she hasn’t done so."

Dr. Kole Gallick, an independent pharmacist from Maquoketa, spoke about the needs and possible solutions that Iowans are not seeing their representative pursue. 

"Prescription drug costs and premiums continue to rise yearly, largely in part to PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers),” Gallick said.  “Regulating PBMs at the federal level needs immediate attention to see a decrease in patient expenses and improved patient outcomes."