The General Assembly has approved Senate Bill 161/House Bill 625, a bipartisan proposal to provide Virginians with the option to choose insurance plans with flat-dollar copays for prescription drugs. This would ensure that health plans do not solely rely on coinsurance models where patients are forced to pay a percentage of their medication’s cost. Leading patient advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), applaud Virginia lawmakers for passing this critical legislation to ensure patients have affordable and predictable access to life-saving treatment. It now heads to Governor Spanberger’s desk, where over a dozen organizations across the Commonwealth are urging her signature.
The legislation was sponsored by Senator Russet Perry and Delegate Rozia Henson.
“Virginians battling serious illness shouldn’t have to battle the price of the medication that keeps them alive. I’m proud to get this bill across the finish line and to fight for Virginians who are already fighting just to survive,” said Senator Perry. “Cancer doesn’t care whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, and that is reflected in the strong bipartisan support this bill received in the Senate. I look forward to Governor Spanberger signing it into law.”
Delegate Henson continued, “No prescription should come with an impossible choice. For too many Virginians, a diagnosis is just the beginning of a battle they never expected to fight at the pharmacy counter. This bill makes sure the promise of treatment is actually within reach for every family in our Commonwealth.”
Last month, cancer survivors and patient advocates with ACS CAN visited the General Assembly to push for support of Senate Bill 161/House Bill 625. They spoke directly with lawmakers, expressing their concern that nearly one in three Virginians worry they won’t be able to afford their medications next year.
Among the survivor advocates who traveled to Richmond in February was Tiffany Freeman, a stage III colorectal cancer survivor from Carroll County who knows firsthand how vital cost predictability is for patients.
“There is so much about cancer that we can’t predict. I think back to when I was diagnosed, and those three words—“you have cancer”—were the last thing I expected to hear. I thought the diagnosis would be the ultimate shock, but I was wrong. The surprises followed me to the pharmacy counter where I saw numbers that floored me,” said Tiffany.
She continued, “Thankfully, I was able to weather the physical and financial storm that was my cancer experience, but not everyone can, forcing many to sacrifice on necessities or forgo critical care. Cancer patients shouldn’t have to make such impossible decisions to afford their lifesaving treatment.”
Tiffany and her fellow advocates now look to Governor Spanberger to enact the affordability proposal so that Virginians will have more options and encounter fewer surprises when it comes to the cost of their care.
Mollie Montague, Virginia Government Relations Director for ACS CAN, said, “Governor Spanberger has been clear about her commitment to health care affordability. We hope, as she works to continue lowering costs for Virginians, she sees Senate Bill 161/House Bill 625 as a meaningful way to further her promise and alleviate a definitive burden for Virginians facing disease.”
Lauren Edwards, Director of Government Affairs at Blood Cancer United, added, “In a time when so much about health care can feel uncertain, patients deserve reliable, affordable co-pays that keep life-saving treatment within reach. We applaud the patrons and the General Assembly for prioritizing this legislation and look forward to the Governor's signature."
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
About Blood Cancer United®
Blood Cancer United® (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is the largest global nonprofit focused on blood cancer patient support, research, and advocacy. The organization’s mission is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. To achieve it, Blood Cancer United brings together a community of people—patients and their families, volunteers, healthcare providers, scientists, staff, partners, fundraisers, and philanthropists—who believe all blood cancer patients deserve longer, fuller lives. For support and to learn more, visit www.BloodCancerUnited.org.