Abigail Spanberger shares priorities to lower healthcare, prescription drug costs at Hanover drug store

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger stood in front of a crowd at a Mechanicsville drug store Wednesday, announcing how she looks to lower drug costs and make healthcare more affordable for Virginians.

The Democratic nominee for Virginia governor announced her main priorities at the Mechanicsville Drug Store -- a family-owned pharmacy that opened in 1957 -- on Wednesday, May 21, saying she aims to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs for seniors and working families.

During the event, she said she aims to crack down on bad actors who inflate the cost of Virginian prescription drugs, improve access to affordable healthcare and ensure that Virginians do not go bankrupt due to a medical emergency.

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“Across our Commonwealth, I’m hearing from Virginians whose healthcare and prescription drug costs are one more thing that keeps them up at night,” said Spanberger during the event. “Making our Commonwealth more affordable for families is a central focus of my campaign — not because some pollsters or pundits have told me it should be, but because I know that Virginians are facing real financial challenges.”

“There are concrete steps we can take right now to bring down drug prices and save Virginians money at the hospital and the pharmacy counter," she continued. "And my administration will be focused on getting it done come January.”

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Tommy Thompson, the owner of the Mechanicsville Drug Store, called Spanberger "a true leader -- who I know wants to fix the issues that are hurting people here in Mechanicsville and across the Commonwealth."

During the event, she outlined her eight key priorities:

• Lowering costs by cracking down on the middlemen — pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) — responsible for inflating the cost of prescription drugs.
• Allowing more Virginians to use the pharmacy of their choice.
• Combatting the skyrocketing cost of drugs and improving access to affordable medication.
• Making sure Virginians get the care they need and deserve.
• Improving access to affordable healthcare options in Virginia’s rural and underserved communities.
• Improving hospital price transparency.
• Stopping predatory billing practices harming Virginians.
• Holding scammers accountable for ripping off Virginians.

Spanberger's office added that she wants to be a "Governor who stands up to the Trump Administration and Republicans in Washington who are threatening hundreds of thousands of Virginians’ access to affordable care.

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Many Virginians who see healthcare and prescription drug costs as a serious concern attended the event, discussing Spanberger's commitment to lowering healthcare in Virginia, especially Richmond.

“Because of Medicaid, my daughter can focus on her treatment without having to worry about whether or not she can afford it,” said Aida Pacheco, whose daughter’s breast cancer treatment is covered by Medicaid. “But right now we have Republicans in Congress who are proposing cuts to Medicaid — cuts that mean people like my daughter could lose one of the most important tools they have in their battle against cancer. And I’m thankful to have someone like the Congresswoman who is willing to stand up and fight for Virginians.”

To view a one-page pager outlining Spanberger’s policy proposals, click here.