Virginia Voters Support Major Prescription Drug Price Reforms

Virginians Also Prioritize Paid Leave and Medicaid-Funded Home Care

RICHMOND _ An AARP voter survey reveals that a majority of Virginia voters support legislation aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs, expanding the use of Medicaid for at-home care and requiring employers to provide paid family and medical leave.

Virginia voters 18 and older show overwhelming bipartisan support for legislation creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) and a bulk prescription drug buying pool to bring down the cost of medication, according to an AARP Virginia voter survey. More than half of the survey participants said they regularly take prescription medication.

 “Virginia voters have made it clear that they want their elected leaders to take action to bring down the price of prescription drugs,” said AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau. “Candidates in the November General Election should take note.”

Most voters (63%) also oppose the reduction or elimination of Medicaid coverage for Virginians.

 The survey of Virginia voters age 18 and older revealed that 84% support the creation of a PDAB – up 9% from when AARP asked the same question in 2023. Support includes 76% of voters identifying as conservatives, 92% of liberals and 86% of moderates. The board would evaluate drug costs and could set limits on how much Virginia payers, including individuals, providers and state agencies, can pay for certain high-cost prescription medications. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2024 creating a PDAB, but it was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“Candidates have an opportunity to reach voters beyond their base by supporting common-sense approaches to reining in drug costs that have widespread support across political parties and ideologies,” Dau said.

Voters polled also indicated heavy support for establishing a bulk prescription drug purchasing pool in Virginia to enable the purchase of medication at reduced rates, with 77% saying they back the policy. The measure is supported by 72% of conservatives, 83% of liberals and 75% of moderates.

The poll showed that Virginia voters of all political ideologies support legislation requiring employers to provide paid family and medical leave to their employees. A total of 83% of voters support such a requirement, with 71% of conservatives, 92% of liberals and 89% of moderates backing the policy.

Virginia voters support making it easier for people to access Medicaid for care at home or in their communities, rather than a nursing home, with 84% of all voters in favor of the policy. Currently, the lengthy application wait time for home care often leads to more Virginians having to settle for unnecessary institutional care. This policy also receives bipartisan support from 73% of conservatives, 92% of liberals and 89% of moderates.

Other issues revealed by the survey include:

· 83% of Virginia voters, including 78% of conservatives, 87% of liberals and 86% of moderates, support requiring nursing homes to direct a significant amount of public money toward resident care rather than administrative or other costs.

· Only 25% of voters polled support federal legislation that could reduce or eliminate Medicaid coverage for Virginians, with 63% saying they are opposed to such cuts.

· 58% of respondents are currently serving or have served as family caregivers to an adult loved one.

The survey was conducted via telephone from June 25 to July 8, 2025, with a sample size of 1,001 registered voters age 18 and older who voted in any two of the 2021, 2022, or 2023 general and the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, and are planning to vote in the November 2025 election. The margin of error is +/- 3.10%.

The full survey report is available at http://www.aarp.org/2025VirginiaVoterSurvey.

AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50 and older and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about AARP Virginia, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.X.com/aarpva.

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About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.