RICHMOND, Va. — Today, Freedom Virginia released new statewide polling conducted by Public Policy Polling that shows strong support among Virginians for the Affordable Medicine Act, SB271, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) and HB483, patroned by Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax). The polling also shows a majority of Virginians want to see the Act signed into law.
Key takeaways from the new poll include:
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82% of voters support the Affordable Medicine Act; 71% want Governor Spanberger to sign the bill
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58% of voters believe the Affordable Medicine Act would make life more affordable in Virginia
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62% of voters reject Big Pharma’s argument that the legislation would raise prices or harm patient access
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49% of voters would disapprove if Governor Spanberger vetoed the bill
The polling comes after new data released estimated that if Governor Abigail Spanberger signs the bill on her desk, Virginians could save about $95 million a year under the legislation, specifically on reduced out-of-pocket costs and premiums.
The Affordable Medicine Act could begin saving hundreds of thousands of Virginians millions of dollars annually starting on January 1, 2027. The legislation models its first-in-the-nation approach on the federal Medicare-negotiated prices that are already in effect and have been adopted – and expanded– by both the Biden and Trump administrations. The Act uses existing state authority to draw down the negotiated Maximum Fair Prices to hundreds of thousands of Virginians, maximizing efficiency and minimizing fiscal impact to the Commonwealth.
Freedom Virginia Co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks released the following statement:
“This new polling shows what we’ve known for the last four years working on this bill: Virginians across the political spectrum are clearly supportive of the Affordable Medicine Act. Virginians know what’s at stake, and they are looking to the governor to bring down costs. Affordability is more than just a word; it requires bold action and a commitment to prioritizing hardworking people over profits. A majority of Virginians believe in the Affordable Medicine Act and its ability to actually make day-to-day life more affordable, and they want Governor Spanberger to sign it. Even amid a fearmongering lobbying campaign by Big Pharma, voters believe this legislation will succeed and deliver real savings to those who need it most. The General Assembly listened to voters and delivered an innovative and overwhelmingly bipartisan policy to the governor’s desk; now it’s up to her to finish the job and sign it into law. We hope Governor Spanberger will stand with 82% of her constituents and sign the Affordable Medicine Act to lower the cost of medicine.”
Governor Spanberger has until May 22 to take final action on the Affordable Medicine Act.
