Gov. Spanberger to Decide on Virginia's Landmark Prescription Drug Relief Bill

On April 22, Virginia’s General Assembly convened in a one-day special session to vote on legislation returned by the Governor, including the Affordable Medicine Act, a bill with strong bipartisan support that would provide members of the Commonwealth with relief from high prescription drug prices. The General Assembly voted to reject the governor’s proposed amendments. Now, it is up to Gov. Spanberger to sign or veto the bill in its original form, AARP Virginia reported on April 23.

“The Affordable Medicine Act, as passed by the legislature, will give Virginians access to the same discounts on drug prices now available to people enrolled in Medicare,” AARP reported. “The version of the bill sent to Gov. Spanberger by the General Assembly initially passed the House of Delegates 95-4 and the state Senate 34-6. The House and Senate voted unanimously to reject the amendments.”

Last week, health advocacy groups, including Families USA, Freedom Virginia, Maryland Health Care for All, Citizen Action Illinois, and Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, held a press call focused on the importance of state drug pricing reforms and the progress state policymakers have made to help their constituents access relief from high prescription drug costs.

As reported by Healthcare Innovation last week, Rhena Hicks, co-executive director of Freedom Virginia, discussed the challenges Virginians face in affording medications. “Nearly one in four Virginians skip life-saving medicine because they're not sure if they can afford to refill their prescription.”

The General Assembly did accept Gov. Spanberger’s recommended amendments to legislation establishing a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program, Alyson J. Guyan and Matthew F. Nieman reported for JacksonLewis.