RICHMOND — As the General Assembly session begins, AARP Virginia is calling on lawmakers to tackle key reforms. In particular, they’re looking to establish a prescription drug affordability board.
In recent years, prescription drug prices have risen much higher than the rate of inflation. The General Assembly came close to passing a bill in 2023 but it was defeated in the House.
Jared Calfee, advocacy director for AARP Virginia, said people should not be forced to choose between vital medicines and other necessities and stressed the new panel would address it.
“It would set up an independent board that would have the ability to look at drugs that had significant cost increases or egregiously high launch prices and conduct an affordability review,” Calfee explained.
A drug manufacturer would be able to state their case for the high cost before the board. If the increase is unfounded, the board could set a price on the drug for all Virginians to pay. Given the General Assembly’s makeup has changed, Calfee is still cautiously optimistic about the fate of the bill. A 2023 survey showed Virginia voters across party lines favored it.
The group is also examining establishing a family caregiver tax credit. A 2023 report finds Virginia family caregivers provided more than $14 billion worth of unpaid care. Calfee noted the bill would offer people up to a 1,000 dollar tax credit on eligible expenses.
“An example would be if you made livability changes to the home like putting in shower bars or a chair lift or something like that,” Calfee pointed out. “That would be an eligible expense. Medical equipment that you have to rent or lease to provide health services to somebody at home, those would be eligible expenses.”
The General Assembly reviewed a bill to establish the tax credit last year but it failed in committee.
Nursing home reforms will also be a priority, particularly staffing issues and licensing regulation. A new licensure process could prevent companies from buying nursing homes and reducing the quality of care. Calfee added programs are being evaluated to retain certified nursing assistants.
“On the workforce development side, if we can influx a wave of CNAs into the system and improve staffing, particularly in some of the more medically underserved and understaffed parts of the state, that will lead to better retention,” Calfee contended.
A recent survey by the Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living found 91% of facilities have CNA vacancies. Since this year’s General Assembly session is only 60 days, Calfee said it will be a sprint to get the bills passed.
