WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Virginia Organizations & Leaders Applaud Spanberger’s Work in Office to Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Improve Healthcare Access for Virginians

In 2022, Spanberger Voted to Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate Drug Prices, Cap Insulin Copays at $35 Per Month for Seniors on Medicare, and Cap Out-of-Pocket Costs for Virginia Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Throughout her six years in Congress, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger has been a champion for healthcare access and affordability — earning widespread recognition from healthcare advocates, leaders, and organizations.

In Congress, Spanberger has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to lowering prescription drug costs, protecting the 340B Drug Pricing Program, capping out-of-pocket costs, defending reproductive healthcare, and addressing the opioid epidemic. She has also advanced bipartisan legislation and secured federal funding to improve access to telehealth and telemental health services across Virginia and the United States.

As Spanberger’s time in Congress comes to a close, local leaders and advocates from Virginia Commonwealth University, UVA Health, Orange Pharmacy, Virginia Community Healthcare Association, Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, March of Dimes, National Rural Health Association, Virginia Alliance for PANS/PANDAS Action, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, and Action, Riverside Health System, 340B Health, Eaterseals, and Social Security Works have expressed their gratitude for her efforts to improve healthcare access and affordability for Virginians.

“Throughout her career in Congress, Rep. Spanberger’s support and advocacy have been vital to VCU and VCU Health,” said Michael Rao, President, Virginia Commonwealth University. “She has been a strong supporter for VCU’s Medicines for All Institute that is improving access to lifesaving medicines and has been a linchpin of the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. Rep. Spanberger has also been a tremendous advocate for the 340B program, a safety net drug pricing program that helps us meet VCU Health System’s critical mission as a safety net hospital. On so many fronts she has been a substantive partner. On behalf of VCU and VCU Health, I am grateful to Rep. Spanberger for her strength in championing higher education and health issues.”

“Congresswoman Spanberger has been a staunch advocate for our district, her constituents and Virginia. Working with her during the pandemic – in a time when the public craved up-to-date information – was a breath of fresh air. She hosted weekly calls and town halls to find out what was important and how she could be of assistance. During those calls, it was identified that highspeed broadband Internet was a severe need in the rural parts of our district – in Culpeper County alone it was identified that 4,300 homes were unserved with broadband,” said Jeff Say, Manager of Community Engagement, UVA Health – Culpeper and Northern Virginia. “Rep. Spanberger brought in representatives from President Biden’s administration to listen to our concerns, and orchestrated collaboration to help get our area more federal funding. Her attention to detail, compassion, and willingness to listen to ALL of her constituents endeared her to many – especially myself. Thank you Rep. Spanberger for working for us, and representing us with poise, precision, and passion.”

“Abigail Spanberger has been a true representative for the constituents of the seventh district of Virginia. She has listened to our needs and done her best to represent us to assist us in the community. I cannot begin to express how refreshing and enlightening her representation has been,” said John W. Seymour, Pharmacist, Orange Pharmacy. “She has been a champion for many causes within Virginia, to include veterans, healthcare, farmers, and the various needs that the people required. I would not hesitate to support her in her next endeavor. I wish her luck and Godspeed.”

“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your leadership over the past six years in advocating for 340B reform and seeking common-sense solutions for the residents of the 7th District of Virginia.  Your commitment to improving access to affordable medications and supporting our local Federally Qualified Health Centers has had a profound impact on our community,” said Michael Jackson, Director of Government and Legislative Affairs, Virginia Community Healthcare Association. “The reforms you championed have ensured that vulnerable populations receive the care they need while strengthening our healthcare system. Through your efforts, many families have gained access to more affordable medications, alleviating financial burdens and enhancing their quality of life.  Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the people of our district. Your efforts are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to witnessing the continued positive changes your leadership will bring to Virginia.”

“Rep. Spanberger has been a key advocate in helping nursing homes get the resources they needed to protect vulnerable residents and dedicated staff during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Keith Hare, President and CEO, Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living. “VHCA-VCAL is grateful for her leadership and commitment to Virginia’s seniors and those who provide them 24/7 care in the Commonwealth’s long term care facilities.”             

“Rep. Spanberger has been an unflinching champion for reproductive freedom,” said Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. “Since coming to Congress, Rep. Spanberger has worked closely with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and Planned Parenthood Action Fund in the fight to ensure that every person has the ability to access critical health care and control their own bodies, lives and futures, free from political interference.”

“Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Spanberger has supported families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Virginia and across the country by introducing critical legislation such as the Linking Seniors to Needed Legal Services Act. And because of bipartisan congressional champions like Rep. Spanberger, Congress has recently taken action to renew our nation’s commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s,” said Robert Egge, President and Chief Public Policy Officer, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s community, thank you to Rep. Spanberger for her dedication to improving the lives of those impacted by this devastating disease.” 

“Congresswoman Spanberger has been a committed champion for maternal and infant health in Congress for Virginians,” said Stacey Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes. “Her leadership on legislation to support families suffering from a miscarriage and support of a myriad innovative maternal and infant policy solutions to address health equity, stillbirth, preterm birth, and improve access to vaccination services has been vital to their advancement in Congress.”

“The International Rett Syndrome Foundation would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rep. Spanberger for her steadfast support of Rett syndrome research. Her advocacy ensured that vital research continued to move forward,” said Katie Busch, Government Relations Manager, International Rett Syndrome Foundation. “Rep. Spanberger’s commitment to Rett syndrome while in office is deeply appreciated by all those affected by Rett.”

“The National Rural Health Association thanks Congresswoman Spanberger for her service on behalf of rural residents during her time in Congress and in particular her leadership on the PROTECT 340B Act,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association. “She has been a strong advocate for rural 340B covered entities and continually took action against practices that would undermine the ability of rural providers to stretch limited resources and provide care to underserved populations.”

“The Virginia Alliance for PANS/PANDAS Action (VA4PA) is extremely appreciative of the work Rep. Spanberger did on behalf of our parent/patient advocacy group,” said Daniela Sosa-Sarkar, Co-Founder, Virginia Alliance of PANS/PANDAS Action. “Rep. Spanberger not only spearheaded critical legislative language where others shied away – pushing for research on a complex, grossly neglected medical issue affecting Virginia’s youth–she did so with incredible passion and effectiveness. We are immense fans of the Congresswoman and look forward to our continued collaboration with her.”

“The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action will be forever grateful for Congresswoman Spanberger’s leadership in advancing research, education, prevention, screening, and early intervention efforts for eating disorders through multiple appropriations cycles,” said Laura Donahue, Vice President, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, and Action. “Her compassion and understanding for individuals and families faced with this mental illness will certainly be missed in the U.S. Congress.”             

“We have appreciated the hard work and dedication of Rep. Spanberger related to advocacy for the 340B Drug Pricing Program.  She has been instrumental in introduction of meaningful legislation to support the program, as well as educating her peers in the US House of Representatives,” said Cindy Williams, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Riverside Health System. “We want to thank Rep. Spanberger for her commitment to the 340B program during her time in Congress, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in future roles.              

“340B Health greatly appreciates the hard work and dedication of Rep. Abigail Spanberger in her tireless efforts to protect and strengthen 340B. Time and time again during her service in Congress, she has been one of our greatest champions in defending 340B patients and providers.  She led legislation to prevent 340B from being abused by PBMs and payers, spearheaded strong bipartisan letters against abusive policies and restrictions by drug companies and organized the very first Special Order on the floor of the House of Representatives on 340B,” said Tom O’Donnell, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, 340B Health. “We are grateful for her leadership that has helped defend a program that vulnerable patients rely on in Virginia and across the nation.”

“Air travel is the only major mode of public transit that does not allow people with disabilities who use wheelchairs to stay in their chairs. The discrimination and risks to their health and dignity they face when they travel by air are only compounded by the fear of a loss of mobility they may face because their wheelchairs were damaged in flight,” said Dennis C. Alexander, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Easterseals. “Thanks go to Rep. Spanberger for advocating for better enforcement of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to protect the health, safety, and dignity of Virginians with disabilities.”

“Throughout her years in the House, Rep. Spanberger has fought for seniors,” said Nancy Altman, President, Social Security Works. “We thank her for her tireless work to lower drug prices, strengthen Social Security, and stop elder abuse.” 

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has long worked to lower drug costs and increase healthcare access for Virginians. In December 2020, President Trump signed into law Spanberger’s legislation to provide greater transparency into the discounts that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) get from drug manufacturers by requiring that PBMs report their rebates, discounts, and price concessions.

In August 2022, Spanberger voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act — which gave Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin copays at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare, and capped out-of-pocket costs for Virginia seniors.

Spanberger has also worked to strengthen Virginia’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In December 2022, President Biden signed into law Spanberger’s bipartisan Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, which provides $900 million of support for programs that combat substance use disorder and addiction in the Commonwealth and across the country.

Additionally, she is committed to addressing drug shortages that keep Virginians from accessing the prescription medications they need. In August 2022, President Biden signed into law Spanberger’s bipartisan legislation to allow the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants for research into advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, including continuous manufacturing research.

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