RICHMOND, Va. — On Friday, the Affordable Medicine Act continued to make its way through the General Assembly. SB271, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville), passed with bipartisan support on the Senate floor by a 31-8 vote. HB483, patroned by Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax), also passed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Friday with bipartisan support by a 6-1 vote.
The legislation has even more bipartisan support this year, gaining five votes in the Senate, up from 26-14 when similar legislation passed last year. Bipartisan momentum has continued to grow year over year, with Prescription Drug Affordability Board legislation passing both chambers of the General Assembly in 2025 and 2024 with support across the aisle, despite massive campaign contributions and over $400,000 in lobbying spending by Big Pharma to derail the bills in 2024.
Support for a Prescription Drug Affordability Board has not only grown in the General Assembly, but across Virginia. A 2025 poll from AARP found that a record-high 84% of Virginians support the creation of a PDAB, including 76% of conservatives, 92% of liberals, and 86% of moderates.
The Affordable Medicine Act builds on the learned success of both the Biden Inflation Reduction Act and the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Act differs from previous legislation by establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) with the immediate authority to extend the federally negotiated Medicare prices for 25 burdensome prescription drugs to hundreds of thousands of Virginians not enrolled in Medicare. In 2027, the Board would expand the cost savings from the first 10 drugs negotiated under the Biden Administration, which took effect for Medicare enrollees on January 1, 2026. In 2028, the Board would extend cost savings from the next 15 drugs negotiated under the Trump Administration, which are set to take effect on January 1, 2027. As of last month, another 15 drugs were selected for negotiations, bolstering the program’s success in lowering the cost of medicine.
Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks released the following statement:
“Virginians have been clear, and legislators are heeding their message: it’s time to lower the cost of medicine. For too long, lawmakers have wavered when it comes to prescription drug costs, especially when it comes to holding drug companies accountable for price gouging. Virginians need to know their representatives are willing to try whatever they can to bring them meaningful relief and make our commonwealth more affordable. This legislation makes it abundantly clear to Virginians that their health, wealth, and well-being will be prioritized. Today’s votes feel hopeful. Virginians don’t need more talk or study; they need medicine they can actually afford. With stronger bipartisan support than ever before, this legislation has the momentum to get all the way to the governor’s desk, where we trust she will continue to deliver on her affordability promise and sign this bill into law.”
Find coverage of the 2026 Affordable Medicine Act below:
The Virginia Independent: Virginia prescription drug affordability bill would lower costs of medicines
WVTF: Virginia officials look to lower drug prices during 2026 legislative session
WRIC: AARP Virginia joins lawmakers to push for lower drug costs ahead of General Assembly session
WTVR: Virginia lawmakers push prescription drug affordability board to cut costs
Virginia Scope: Prescription Drug Affordability Board legislation advanced out of Senate Commerce and Labor
ARLNow: Virginia Senate Passes Affordable Medicine Act with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support (Press Release)
