NEW: Three Rural Healthcare Clinics in Virginia Close Because of Sears-Backed Trump Tax Law

Spanberger: “Unlike My Opponent, I Will Never Be Afraid to Stand Up to the White House or Extreme Politicians in Washington When Virginians’ Access to Healthcare Is on the Line”

RICHMOND, Va — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today responded to new reporting that three rural healthcare clinics in Weyers Cave, Churchville, and Buena Vista will close — specifically citing the Winsome Earle-Sears-endorsed Trump tax law slashing support for Virginia’s rural healthcare providers.

“The devastating impacts of Trump’s tax bill are real for families across our Commonwealth, especially in our rural communities. For months, Virginia healthcare providers have been ringing the alarm bells about the threats to their ability to serve their patients. Now, this disastrous law has forced clinics in Buena Vista, Churchville, and Weyers Cave to close their doors.

“My opponent endorsed this bill despite knowing that it would take away healthcare from hundreds of thousands of Virginians, threaten the survival of our rural healthcare providers, and drive up healthcare premiums for working families. Even now, she continues to stand by President Trump as he raises costs for Virginia families across the board and threatens Virginia’s economy.

“Come January, my administration will take decisive action to lower prescription drug prices, protect rural clinics and hospitals, and make sure Virginians get the care they deserve. And unlike my opponent, I will never be afraid to stand up to the White House or extreme politicians in Washington when Virginians’ access to healthcare is on the line.”

BACKGROUND

Earlier this year, Spanberger released her “Affordable Virginia Plan,” which is focused on lowering Virginians’ healthcare and prescription drug costs by cracking down on industry middlemen that drive up costs, improving pricing transparency, holding large pharmaceutical companies accountable, and expanding healthcare access in rural and underserved communities.

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 — pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — to rip off consumers.

The Sears-endorsed GOP tax bill will hurt access to affordable healthcare coverage across the Commonwealth:

• More than 350,000 Virginians could lose their healthcare coverage.
• More than 388,000 Virginians on the Marketplace could see their premiums increase significantly — if they don’t lose coverage entirely. A 60-year old couple who lives in Roanoke and makes approximately $81,000 a year could see their premiums rise by over $1,000 per month.
• At least six rural hospitals, including four in Southwest and Southside Virginia, one in Hampton Roads, and one in the Northern Neck — are at risk of closure.

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