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Richmond, VA – Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax City) and Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Chantilly) yesterday joined impacted Virginians and other advocacy groups to introduce legislation in the Senate and House to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB).
The board would have the power to set limits on what consumers can pay for specific drugs. This legislation will boost financial freedom and make healthcare more affordable for hardworking Virginians. If the bill were to become law, Virginia would join seven other states with Republican and Democratic governors that have passed similar legislation, including neighboring Maryland.
WRIC ABC8: Virginia lawmakers revive effort to control prescription drug prices
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“There are people who make profits in this industry and they are not going to be fans of this bill. So I expect that opposition and we’re just going to have to get over it,” Petersen said.
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“No one should have to choose between medication that will save their life and the roof over their head,” Delaney said.
WTVR CBS6: Virginia lawmakers hope to take action to reign in cost of prescription drugs
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“This is an issue that I think whose time has come,” said Senate co-sponsor Sen. Chap Petersen (D – 34th), who introduced the legislation last session before withdrawing it.
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“What we want to do is have a data-driven process where experts in the field are able to hear testimony, look at the facts, and determine if we’re seeing the price of a drug go up by 36%, four times the cost of the rate of inflation, let’s hear the explanation for why that is,” said Del. Karrie Delaney (D – 67th), who is sponsoring the bill in the House.
WDBJ7: State lawmakers propose prescription drug affordability board
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“The rising cost of prescription drugs means older Virginians are increasingly facing difficult choices about whether or not to continue taking their medications,” said Jared Calfee, Associate State Director for AARP Virginia. “A prescription drug affordability board would go a long way in helping to rein in those costs. Medicine only works if you can afford it.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Democratic legislators seek Prescription Drug Affordability Board
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Jenaya Moore, a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University, said she has watched the price of her asthma medication climb in recent years and there have been times she’s wondered if she will be able to pay her utility bills. Moore explained that her medication had generally cost her between $60 and $100 a month but that in recent years, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, prices rose to over $300 a month.
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“So ever since then, at any given moment, I quickly realized that with those simple instances of an allergic flare up or even just a virus that could attack my respiratory system that anything could happen and matters could definitely be even worse,” [Moore] said at the news conference.
Virginia Mercury: Democratic lawmakers again propose Prescription Drug Affordability Board
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Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, chief patron of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposal in the House, said while the extent of Republican interest is still being gauged, “where we do have bipartisan support is within the community.”
Augusta Free Press: Prescription affordability board could help families choosing between meds, groceries
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“This bill is essential for Virginians,” said Sen. Petersen. “Not only would a prescription drug affordability board lower costs for hardworking families, but taxpayers across Virginia would also benefit since the Commonwealth spends more than $2.4 billion a year on prescription drugs between Medicaid and state employees’ insurance. This bill will help Virginians get the life-saving medicine they need and provide economic relief.”
Virginia Political Newsletter: Legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
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