RICHMOND, Va. — In case you missed it, today, Blue Virginia published an op-ed from Hermionne Johnson, a Virginia veteran and Suffolk resident, calling on Governor Glenn Youngkin to sign the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) bill to ensure lower prescription drug costs for all Virginians.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board bill, HB1724, patroned by Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax), passed both chambers of the General Assembly with strong bipartisan support. The governor has until Monday, March 24, to decide on the PDAB bill.
The following is an excerpt from the op-ed:
“For an insured dual-income, dual-military family, managing the costs of raising a child with a rare disease and chronic comorbidities reveals the harsh reality of prescription drug pricing. Despite having health insurance, the out-of-pocket costs our family faces for maintenance medications necessary to sustain our child’s health remain a significant financial burden.
“This is not merely an inconvenience—it is a persistent stressor. As a family, you must make sacrifices to ensure your child has access to the life-saving medications they need. After serving in two branches, I separated from the military to care for my daughter, Ayana, and eventually, my husband retired from service. The current system places undue pressure on families like ours, who are already serving their country, and it has forced us to navigate impossible financial choices to prioritize our child’s health.
“[…] For our family and countless others, a PDAB offers the promise of stability and fairness. It is a way to honor the contributions and sacrifices of military families while ensuring that no parent has to choose between financial security and their child’s health. Families across the nation deserve a healthcare system where life-saving medications are a right, not an unmanageable burden.”
Read the full op-ed in Blue Virginia HERE.
