AARP Virginia 2020 Policy Priorities

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2020 Policy Priorities
Read the news release about our legislative priorities here.

Prescription Drug Price Transparency
In 2017, 23% of Virginians stopped taking medication as prescribed due to cost. AARP Virginia is bringing together consumer and industry groups to address this issue and urges the General Assembly to bring transparency to drug pricing practices by imposing reporting requirements which will provide notification and justification for price increases over certain thresholds.

Support Family Caregivers HB361
Across Virginia, more than 1 million family caregivers assist their parents, spouses, and other loved ones, often so they can remain at home – where they want to be – and out of costly, taxpayer-funded nursing homes. These family caregivers help with bathing, dressing, transportation, and much more – and many contribute financially to their loved one’s care. These responsibilities can be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging. AARP Virginia proposes a Family Caregiver Income Tax Credit to help offset the cost of certain qualified expenses by reducing the amount of state income taxes owed.


Retirement Security
A secure retirement is out of reach for more than 1.2 million Virginians who do not have access to a retirement savings plan at work. The ability to save for retirement out of a worker’s regular paycheck is vital – workers are 15 times more likely to save for retirement when they have access to a workplace retirement plan. Many employers would offer retirement plans to their employees, but often find it too expensive or time consuming to sponsor a plan. AARP Virginia urges legislators to establish a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), a voluntary retirement savings plan available to Virginia employers and employees.

Fair Redistricting
In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan constitutional amendment proposal that could create Virginia’s first redistricting commission. If it’s passed again in 2020, this will be the most comprehensive redistricting reform to ever pass a state legislature. AARP Virginia supports the efforts of OneVirginia2021 to end partisan gerrymandering in Virginia by ensuring this resolution is passed in the current session so it can be put forward in a statewide referendum in November 2020.

Payday and Title Loan Reform
In Virginia, payday and title lenders charge APRs that can top 200 and 300 percent. Hardworking families are being gouged because Virginia has some of the weakest consumer protections in the country. Comprehensive reform that is proven to work in other states would keep affordable credit widely available, level the playing field for responsible lenders, and put more than $100 million back in the pockets of Virginia families every year. AARP Virginia supports the efforts of Virginia Poverty Law Center to pass strong protections for Virginia consumers that include affordable payments, enough time to repay, fair prices, and wide access to credit.

Make Sure Budget Decisions are Fair to All Generations
We will monitor budget proposals to be sure that decisions are fair to all generations and do not place an unnecessary hardship on Virginia’s most vulnerable people.

For more information, contact Natalie Snider at nsnider@aarp.org or (804) 344-3063.