|
RICHMOND, Va. — This week, Freedom Virginia launched a new ad buy urging lawmakers to reject special corporate interests, specifically the interests of Big Pharma, in the 2027-2028 budget. The ad comes as negotiations continue among the General Assembly ahead of the June 30 budget deadline.
“Greed” is part of a five-figure campaign and will play on YouTube in the Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Charlottesville media markets. The ad calls on legislators to reject a proposed amendment that would restrict access to affordable healthcare and features recent news clips highlighting the strain on rural hospitals and community clinics resulting from massive federal cuts to health care funding in 2025.
Freedom Virginia Co-Executive Director Ryan O’Toole released the following statement:
“With the clock ticking towards the start of Virginia’s FY 2027 on July 1, we’re calling on General Assembly budget conferees to stand with their constituents, not billionaires. Legislators are facing choices about who they will prioritize: the regular people who want affordable healthcare and childcare, or the Big Tech companies that want to keep taking Virginia’s handout? The hardworking Virginians who have already lost access to affordable health insurance because of reckless federal cuts– and might lose even more access to affordable healthcare– or the greedy drug companies that will stop at nothing to pad their profits, no matter the consequences for sick Virginians. Big Pharma’s proposed budget amendment would give away over $200 million more in handouts to pharmaceutical companies while putting further strain on regular people’s wallets this summer as gas, electricity, and groceries get more expensive. The final few weeks of the budget debate highlight a fundamental question of who Virginia’s policymakers are willing to prioritize as life gets even more expensive. Whether it’s Big Pharma or Big Data Centers, if we allow corporate special interests to take priority over affordable housing, childcare, electricity, or healthcare, it’s only Virginians, and our reputation for being the best state to live, work, and raise a family, that get hurt.”
“Greed” can be viewed HERE. A transcript is below:
Virginia healthcare clinics are shutting down.
Clinic in Buena Vista will close its doors,
And now it will be fully closing
And hospitals aren’t far behind
Because big drug companies are pushing lawmakers to squeeze more money out of clinics and hospitals that serve rural and vulnerable communities
All to pad their profits.
Call your lawmaker
Ask them to oppose Big Pharma’s amendment
Stopping drug company greed and protecting our health care system.
|
