NORFOLK, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today joined local leaders and Hampton Roads community members to lay out her plan as the next Governor of Virginia to make Virginia more affordable, particularly by lowering healthcare and prescription drug costs.

Alongside community members at BROTHERS restaurant in Norfolk, Spanberger outlined the policy priorities her administration will focus on to make the Commonwealth more affordable for Virginia families. Earlier this week, Spanberger announced her healthcare affordability agenda to save Virginians money by cracking down on bad actors who inflate the cost of Virginians’ prescription drugs, improving access to affordable healthcare options in Virginia’s rural and underserved communities, and making sure no Virginian goes bankrupt because of a medical emergency.

“Ever since I launched my campaign for Governor, the number-one priority I hear is that we have to make Virginia more affordable for everyone. And that includes here in Hampton Roads,” said Spanberger during the event. “Earlier this week, I announced a straightforward agenda to make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. And in the coming weeks, I will continue to lay out my agenda to lower costs for Virginia families.”

Spanberger continued, “That’s what Hampton Roads deserves from their next Governor — someone who not only talks about problems, but someone who endeavors to fix them.”

Spanberger was joined by Senator Angelia Williams Graves (SD-21) and Delegate Bonita Anthony (HD-92) who shared the concerns they’re hearing from constituents about the rising cost of living. Both lawmakers praised Spanberger’s efforts to listen to local communities and highlighted their shared commitment to lessening the burden on working families.

“With Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington doing everything they can to make life harder for working families, the General Assembly needs a partner in Richmond who is ready to take real action to lower costs,” said Senator Angelia Williams Graves. “Unlike her opponent, Abigail will always put Virginia first — and I know we can count on her to make sure Norfolk has a seat at the table.”

“I’m hearing from my constituents every day about how difficult it’s become to keep up with rising expenses — from the grocery store to the pharmacy counter. Congresswoman Spanberger’s plan to lower prescription drug costs and protect hardworking Virginians from overwhelming medical debt resonates with our community’s needs,” said Delegate Anthony. “It’s past time we have a Governor who is ready to fight for every family in Virginia.”

As Governor of Virginia, Spanberger will focus on lowering healthcare and prescription drug costs for Virginia families and seniors. Key priorities outlined today include:

• Lowering costs by cracking down on the middlemen — pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) — responsible for inflating the cost of prescription drugs.
• Allowing more Virginians to use the pharmacy of their choice.
• Combat the skyrocketing cost of drugs by holding large pharmaceutical companies accountable and improving access to affordable, quality medication.
• Making sure Virginians get the care they need and deserve.
• Improving access to affordable healthcare options in Virginia’s rural and underserved communities.
• Improving hospital price transparency.
• Stopping predatory billing practices harming Virginians.
• Holding scammers accountable for ripping off Virginians.

Click here for a document outlining Spanberger’s plan.

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has a proven record of lowering costs for Virginia families and seniors. During her three terms in Congress, Spanberger helped lead the charge to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices and save taxpayers billions of dollars in the process.

Spanberger also voted to cap insulin copays at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare and cap out-of-pocket drug costs for Virginia seniors. Additionally, President Trump signed into law Spanberger’s effort to make it harder for pharmaceutical industry middlemen — PBMs — to rip off consumers.

Spanberger announced her campaign to serve as the 75th Governor of Virginia in November 2023.

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