Backers of lower cost prescriptions can’t overcome Governor’s veto

A bipartisan majority of Virginia state senators voted April 17 to reject Governor Glenn Youngkin’s veto of legislation that would have lowered the cost of medicine, but the effort did not reach the two-thirds majority required for an override. Advocates said they would continue building momentum for the bill as they look toward future legislative sessions.

SB274, which would have created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, did not achieve a two-thirds threshold required to override a veto. The bill was championed by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) and Senator Bill Stanley (R-Franklin).

The House did not override the governor’s veto of the companion bill, HB 570. The bill was patroned by Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax) and co-patroned by Delegate Nadarius Clark (D-Suffolk). 

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board would have been composed of experts who could set Upper Payment Limits (UPL’s) on certain high-priced drugs after analyzing whether contributing factors justified their cost.

This legislation won the support of a broad coalition of advocates including AARP Virginia, the Virginia Catholic Conference, the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia NAACP.

“On behalf of the countless Virginians struggling to afford their needed medications, AARP Virginia is disappointed that the General Assembly was unable to override the governor’s veto of this commonsense legislation,” said Jim Dau, state director for AARP Virginia. “But we are grateful to the bipartisan coalition of champions who backed the bill this year, and we are confident that support will only grow as we bring back this policy in future sessions.”

“Doctors are deeply disappointed that Governor Youngkin vetoed legislation that could have provided real relief to our patients who rely on prescription drugs,” said Dr. Rommaan Ahmad, a pain management physiatrist in Alexandria and Virginia Lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care.

“While the largest pharmaceutical company nearly tripled its earnings over the past two years, Virginians are paying 36 per cent more for their prescribed medication than patients in other states, leading many to split or skip their pills. This veto is a slap in our patients’ faces and a sad example of Governor Youngkin prioritizing Big Pharma’s profits over Virginia patients. However, we appreciate the efforts of all the legislators who voted today to override and we will continue to fight to pass this bill in the future.”

Strong majorities of Virginians across party lines also supported the legislation. According to an AARP poll, three-quarters of Virginians, including 85 per cent of Democrats, 71 per cent of Republicans, and 70 per cent of Independents, want their legislators to pass a PDAB.

“We are thankful to the legislators on both sides of the aisle who stood up for their constituents today by voting to override the governor’s veto,” said Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “While the vote fell short this time, we are energized by the growing momentum behind this bill.  We will come back next year and every year until we make this bill law and make medicine affordable.”