AARP Virginia 2026 Legislative Priorities

The cost of prescription drugs continues to skyrocket, making it harder for Virginians to afford the medicine they need. Meanwhile, the big drug manufacturers and middlemen are raking in record profits. It is long past time that Virginia addresses this issue. The General Assembly should:

• Pass legislation creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), as they have the past two sessions with bipartisan support, and Virginia’s next governor must sign the bill. A PDAB would have the power to review the cost of drugs and set upper payment limits on certain high-cost prescription medications. This would save all Virginians money in the form of lower premiums as well as lower out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter.
• Explore cost-saving policies such as bulk purchasing pools, which allow providers to buy medication from manufacturers at discounted rates and pass along the savings to consumers.
  

Nearly one million Virginians are providing unpaid care to loved ones, and the economic value provided by those caregivers was $14.3 billion in 2021. The General Assembly should pass legislation that allows Virginians to age in place, improves institutional care, and supports family caregivers, who are the most important piece of our long-term care system. These policies include:

• Creating a paid family and medical leave program so workers don’t have to compromise their financial security to care for a family member.
• Establishing a presumptive eligibility program to streamline the Medicaid application process for home and community-based care.
• Nursing home reforms that ensure facilities are adequately staffed and are providing high-quality care to Virginia’s most vulnerable residents.