AARP Virginia Statement on Senate Bill 376

To tell your lawmaker to support Senate Bill 376 use this link.

AARP Virginia today released the following statement from State Advocacy Director Natalie Snider after Senate Bill 376 was referred to the Senate Commerce & Labor committee for consideration. SB376 would establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the authority to set upper payment limits on certain expensive drugs.

“On behalf of our nearly one million members in Virginia and all those ages 50-plus, who are paying among the highest drug prices in the world, AARP Virginia urges the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 376.

“No one should have to choose between buying medicine and paying for food or rent. Skyrocketing prices push life-saving treatments out of reach for too many who need them. These outrageously high prices impact all Virginians by raising premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and the price tag for taxpayer-supported programs.

“The General Assembly has an opportunity to help Virginians afford needed medications. They need to take it.”

According to an AARP-commissioned survey, in 2017, 23% of Virginians stopped taking medications as prescribed due to cost. According to AARP research and analysis, between 2015 and 2019, the average increase in the annual cost of prescription drugs rose by 26.3%, while the average income in Virginia increased by only 16.7%.

With nearly 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50+ and their families in the Commonwealth. In recent years, AARP Virginia has successfully fought for Medicaid expansion, protections for older people against financial exploitation and empowering family caregivers.

To learn more about AARP Virginia, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aarpva.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.