PDAB advanced in the Senate
And today's schedule.
This is the Virginia Political Newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
Have a tip? You can reply to this email or reach out to me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com.
Today’s sponsors
VHHA
This year, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is celebrating its centennial anniversary (1926-2026). The legacy of VHHA includes 100 years of supporting the important work of hospital and health systems across the Commonwealth to protect health, enhance access to care, and strengthen our economy. VHHA represents 26 health systems with 117 acute care, children’s, psychiatric, long-term care, rehabilitation, and specialty hospitals across Virginia. The latest data shows that on an annual basis Virginia hospitals contribute $4.5 billion in community support, generate $68.8 billion in positive economic activity, directly provide more than 138,000 jobs with more than $13 billion in payroll, accommodate more than 4.45 million patient days, handle 92 percent of all voluntary and involuntary behavioral health inpatient admissions, and deliver more than 86,000 babies. Learn about the many ways hospitals make communities healthier and stronger at at www.vhha.com.
SEIU Virginia 512
SEIU Virginia 512 members are fighting to pass public sector collective bargaining (HB 1263 and SB 378) so the home care jobs needed to care for Virginia’s aging parents, grandparents and people with disabilities are good union jobs. Our Care Agenda lays out a strong vision for strengthening home care across Virginia. We’re calling for fair wages and basic benefits, greater access to professional training and career development, and support for the essential services that allow our loved ones to live with dignity and independence at home, rather than expensive facilities. Together, we’re calling for greater investment in the care Virginia families need, now and in the future. Click here to show your support for quality care and quality jobs.
PDAB moves forward
The Affordable Medicine Act, which aims to lower prescription drug costs and improve health care affordability in Virginia, advanced out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Monday evening.
Its central feature is the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with authority to set upper payment limits on high-cost medications. The bill builds on state policies and the federal Inflation Reduction Act.
“The board would be an independent body of health and medical experts appointed by the governor, the House and the Senate. It would use proven database strategies already working in other states and at the federal level to lower prescription drug prices,” said Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, the bill’s sponsor.
To streamline implementation, board members must be appointed by Oct. 1, 2026, and the board would initially adopt payment caps tied to Medicare-negotiated prices for 25 drugs. 10 would take effect beginning in 2027, with 15 additional drugs following in 2028.
“The board would set an upper payer payment limit that applies to the entire supply chain,” Deeds said.
The bill includes targeted exemptions for certain rare disease drugs and plasma-based treatments, while expanding protections and representation for rare disease patients. It requires that any savings from payment caps be passed on to consumers and tightens conflict-of-interest rules for board members. The legislation also increases transparency, protects pharmacists’ reimbursements, allows ERISA plans to opt in, and directs the board to recommend further cost-saving drug policies to state leaders.
The legislation advanced out of the Commerce and Labor Committee on a 10-4 vote. It will now be taken up in the Senate Finance Committee.
Similar legislation has passed in previous years, but former Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed it both times.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office did not respond to a request for comment on this legislation.
Sponsor:
SEIA
To lower electricity costs, Virginia needs more solar and storage — the most affordable and fastest energy sources to build. Learn more about how solar and storage can boost affordability, strengthen the grid, and grow the Virginia economy here.
Today’s General Assembly schedule
8:00 AM
Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources-Water Usage
Senate Room C, Room 311, General Assembly Building
8:00 AM
House Transportation-Department of Motor Vehicles
House Room B, Room 205, General Assembly Building
House Transportation-Transportation Infrastructure and Funding
House Room B, Room 205, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of Department of Motor Vehicles Subcommittee(Agenda)(View Meeting)
8:30 AM
House Health and Human Services
House Room C, Room 206, General Assembly Building
House Health and Human Services-Health
House Room C, Room 206, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of House Health and Human Services(Agenda)(View Meeting)
9:00 AM
House Transportation CANCELLED
9:30 AM
Senate Finance and Appropriations
Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
9:30 AM
Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources-Companion Animals CANCELLED
11:15 AM
House Democratic Caucus
House Room 1, The Capitol
11:15 AM
Senate Democratic Caucus
Senate Room 1, The Capitol
11:30 AM
House Republican Caucus
House Room 2, The Capitol
11:30 AM
Senate Republican Caucus
Senate Room 2, The Capitol
12:00 PM
House Convenes
Senate Finance and Appropriations CANCELLED
House Rules
House Appropriations Room, Room 1200, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of the House(Agenda)(View Meeting)
Senate Privileges and Elections
15 minutes after the Senate adjourns
Senate Room B, Room 306, General Assembly Building
Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
30 Minutes after adjournment of the Senate
Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
House General Laws
House Room B, Room 205, General Assembly Building
1/2 hour after adjournment of the House(Agenda)(View Meeting)
House General Laws-ABC/Gaming
House Room B, Room 205, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of House General Laws(Agenda)(View Meeting)
House General Laws-Procurement/Open Government
House Room B, Room 205, General Assembly Building
15 minutes after adjournment of ABC/Gaming Subcommittee(Agenda)(View Meeting)
House Labor and Commerce
House Room C, Room 206, General Assembly Building
1/2 hour after adjournment of the House(Agenda)(View Meeting)
House Labor and Commerce-Subcommittee #1
House Room A, Room 008, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of House Labor and Commerce(Agenda)(View Meeting)
House Labor and Commerce-Subcommittee #3
House Room A, Room 008, General Assembly Building
Immediately upon adjournment of Subcommittee #1(Agenda)(View Meeting)
3:30 PM
Senate Finance and Appropriations - Resources Subcommittee
Senate Finance & Appropriations Room, Room 1300, General Assembly Building
3:30 PM
Senate Finance and Appropriations - Education Subcommittee CANCELLED
4:00 PM
House Education-Higher Education
House Room C, Room 206, General Assembly Building
4:00 PM
Senate Education and Health-Health
Senate Room C, Room 311, General Assembly Building
4:30 PM
House Finance-Subcommittee #2
House North Subcommittee Room, Room 200, General Assembly Building
More news from the General Assembly
Virginia Democrats want to restrict ICE, but enforcement questions loom - RTD
Virginia state senator seeks to keep future data centers away from residential areas - VM
Senate committee OKs bills promising health care savings - RTD