Spanberger Launches 2020 Prescription Drug Survey, Invites Feedback & Personal Stories from Central Virginians

*Click here for photos from the Congresswoman’s recent in-district Healthcare Tour*

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today launched her 2020 Prescription Drug Survey to gather direct feedback from her constituents on the growing crisis of prescription drug costs. 

Since taking office last year, Spanberger has worked on multiple pieces of legislation aimed at reducing the high cost of prescription drugs for Central Virginia families, seniors, and those with chronic conditions. Her efforts include leading the bipartisan Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which passed 403 to 0 in the U.S. House, and passing the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would empower Medicare Part D to negotiate and fight for lower drug prices for beneficiaries.

“Across our ten counties, constituents of all ages come up to me and raise their concerns about the rising cost of prescription drugs. They’ve shared stories about rationing doses and making trade-offs with other expenses like groceries in order to afford their medication. This affordability crisis creates intense anxiety for so many members of our Central Virginia communities, and meaningful, bipartisan action in the House is long overdue,” said Spanberger. “Listening to the people I serve is a critical component of any legislative effort. As I continue to work on this issue in Washington, I want to hear more facts and experiences from Central Virginians. This firsthand input will help me better address our district’s concerns and build consensus among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. I encourage Central Virginians to complete the three-minute survey, and I thank everyone for sharing their perspective. I look forward to reading the results.”

Throughout months of legislative work, Spanberger has regularly invited constituents in the Seventh District to share their stories and give direct input on the issue. In August, she convened a prescription drug roundtable in Henrico to hear from patients and discuss potential legislative solutions. In November 2019, she completed a two-day, nine-stop district healthcare tour across Central Virginia and concluded by hosting an open, community forum on prescription drug costs alongside AARP.

The 2020 Prescription Drug Survey is available under the Issues section of Spanberger’s website at spanberger.house.gov.

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has worked consistently throughout her first year in office to advance bipartisan legislation to address the staggering costs facing Central Virginians at the pharmacy counter.

In December 2019, she passed landmark legislation that would allow Medicare Part D to negotiate with manufacturers to lower drug prices for Virginia seniors. The Spanberger-cosponsored Lower Drug Costs Now Act would also strengthen Medicare benefits for basic needs like dental and vision, and reverse years of unfair prices hikes on medications that treat common conditions like diabetes.

Additionally, the Spanberger-cosponsored CREATES Act was signed into law by President Trump in December, after passing in the U.S. House with bipartisan support. The bill would crack down on the anti-competitive practices that pharmaceutical companies often use to prevent cheaper, generic medications from getting to market.

In April 2019, she introduced the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act alongside U.S. Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) and Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02). Her bill would increase accountability in the prescription drug industry by requiring pharmacy benefit managers to be more transparent about the potential role they play in driving up prices. Her bipartisan legislation passed in the U.S. House in October 2019 with 403 votes in support and none against.

And in October 2019, Spanberger introduced a bipartisan bill to level the playing field for makers of generic drugs and help get these more affordable options to consumers. She led the introduction of the Biologic Patent Transparency Act alongside U.S. Representative Tom Reed (R-NY-23).

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