Video: In Latest Ad, Rep. Spanberger Highlights Efforts to Bring Down Drug Prices, Engage Directly with Central Virginians on Healthcare Issues

From Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)’s reelection campaign:

In Latest Ad, Spanberger Highlights Efforts to Bring Down Drug Prices, Engage Directly with Central Virginians on Healthcare Issues

In Congress, Spanberger Has Worked to Increase Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate Drug Prices, & Crack Down on Practices that Block Americans from Accessing Cheaper Generic Alternatives

GLEN ALLEN, VA — In her latest ad, Rep. Abigail Spanberger is highlighting her efforts to lower prescription drugs costs for Central Virginia seniors and families.

Last year, Spanberger led the introduction of bipartisan legislation to help lower drug costs and bring greater transparency to prescription drug negotiations. Her legislation passed by a vote of 403 to 0 earlier this year. Additionally, Spanberger cosponsored and voted to pass legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices — which would increase competition and lower costs for thousands across Virginia.

In “Lower Cost,” Spanberger also emphasizes her commitment to engaging with Central Virginians, including through 25 town halls since arriving in Congress, as well as her pledge to refuse donations from corporate PACs.

“In the last two years, I’ve held twenty-five town halls — in person, on the phone, and online. During these events, prescription drug costs come up nearly every time, and Virginians share their personal stories and financial challenges caused by skyrocketing prices. These stories motivate me to work harder on their behalf in Congress,” said Spanberger. “That’s yet another reason why I refuse money from corporate PACs — pharmaceutical companies have too much power already. Whether I’m leading the fight to lower the cost of drugs like insulin or to give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, I’ll keep fighting to make prescription medications more affordable for Central Virginia seniors and families.”

When she ran for Congress in 2018, Spanberger promised to hold a town hall in each of the ten counties she represents in her first year. She kept her promise by hosting 12 town halls across the ten counties in her first year, as well as topic-specific town halls across the district. When the pandemic hit, she transitioned to telephone town halls, during which her office dialed out to thousands of Seventh District residents and live-streamed the events.

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has fought to combat the prescription drug affordability crisis and lower costs for Central Virginians by:

• Tackling elements of the pharmaceutical industry that contribute to rising prices. Spanberger’s Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act — which passed by a vote of 403 to 0 — would increase information available to the public regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their practices. Following the passage of her bill in the House, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar tweeted his support.
• Voting to give Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices. Spanberger cosponsored and voted to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, it would establish a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients.
• Cracking down on anti-competitive practices among drug manufacturers. Spanberger introduced bipartisan legislation that would eliminate harmful practices that block generic alternatives from entering the consumer market. Her Biologic Patent Transparency Act would limit the practice of “patent gaming” and allow for greater competition and lower prices.
• Leading community conversations about prescription drug-related challenges in the Seventh District. As part of her commitment to holding in-person and virtual town hall events, Spanberger has hosted public forums focused on prescription drug costs, in addition to in-person and virtual roundtables. Her office also collected thousands of personal stories from Central Virginians who have struggled to afford necessary medications.