Demand answers from candidates on prescription drug costs

Thanasis/Getty Images

The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is one of the issues we hear about the most at AARP Virginia from our nearly one million members across the Commonwealth. This summer, we conducted a statewide poll that confirmed what we already knew: the high cost of prescription medication is a top-of-mind priority for a huge number of Virginians.

Here are a couple highlights from that survey:

• Nearly two out of every three Virginia voters are concerned about not being able to afford the prescription medications that they or a family member may need.
  
• When asked about one of AARP’s top legislative priorities, the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, three out of four voters supported the idea, and that cuts across party lines. 85% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans, and 70% of Independents support the policy.

We want voters across the Commonwealth to know where their candidates stand on this important issue, so we are asking you to reach out to your candidates for the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate to demand answers. District boundaries and numbers have changed, and you could see new names on your ballot this year.

• Find out who is on your ballot this November here.
  
• Find the phone numbers and email addresses of your candidates here.
  
• Call your candidates or send them an email by copying and pasting the draft below.
  

If you get a response from your candidates, be sure to thank them (and be sure to let us know by emailing aarpva@aarp.org!).

DRAFT EMAIL TO CANDIDATES (COPY AND PASTE INTO THE BODY OF AN EMAIL ADDRESSED TO YOUR CANDIDATE):

Hello,

I am a resident in the district you are running to represent in 2024. Before I cast my vote this November, I would like to know where you stand on a policy that is extremely important to me: the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board.

The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is a hugely important issue to me and other voters across the district. Creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board will make medication more affordable for Virginians of every age. It will save taxpayers money by reducing government expenses on prescription drugs for the Commonwealth and its localities. And it will address some of the most expensive medications; life-saving drugs that treat diseases like cancer and diabetes.

I hope you will commit to supporting the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in the 2024 General Assembly session should you be elected in November. 

Thank you, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

 YOUR NAME