Republican Governor vetoes bill aimed at lowering prescription drug costs for Virginians

In another late-night action, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed bills aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs and completed action on the 1,046 bills sent to him by the General Assembly just before the deadline.

At 153 bills, he now holds the record for the most vetoes of any governor in Virginia's history.

If signed, bills HB570 and SB274 would have established a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the goal of lowering the cost of medicine for Virginians.

The governor issued his veto late Monday evening, just before the bill’s 11:59 p.m. deadline. If the deadline had passed without the governor’s action, it would have become law.

Virginians are paying higher for prescriptions

Virginians spent 36% more per person on prescription drugs than the national average, in 2020, according to Virginians for Affordable Medicine. The organization’s data shows that Virginians spend $1,500 on prescriptions annually compared to $1,100 nationally. From 2015 to 2020, Virginians’ average spending on prescription drugs rose from $1,400 to $1,500 – a 6.6% increase, more than twice the national increase, the organization said.

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, who patroned the Senate bill along with Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, said he was disappointed in the governor’s veto of the bipartisan legislation.

“Virginians need commonsense solutions to lower the cost of living, and this legislation presented that opportunity to prioritize hardworking people over big drug companies,” Deeds said in a statement.

Three-quarters of Virginia voters want their legislators to pass a bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, according to a recent study by AARP of Virginia. That includes 85% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans and 70% of Independents. AARP of Virginia also noted its disappointment in the governor’s veto.

“Virginians across the state have made very clear that they expected action to address the unaffordable costs of life-saving medication, and they overwhelmingly support the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. General Assembly members in both parties answered the call, but today’s veto is a step backward to helping many people afford their cost of living – and their cost of staying alive,” Jim Dau, AARP Virginia State Director, said in a statement.

Youngkin argues Board would 'compromise patient welfare'

Boards aimed at lowering the cost of prescription medication have been established in both Republican and Democratic administrations across eight states, according to Virginians for Affordable Medicine.

“Though noble in its intent, the proposal carries numerous unintended consequences. While it is imperative to lower drug prices, it must not compromise patient welfare,” Youngkin said in his veto explanation.

He argued that the authority granted to the proposed Prescription Drug Affordability Board would allow medication availability to be determined solely on cost considerations rather than accounting for the expert opinions of healthcare professionals and the unique medical needs of individual patients.

Youngkin becomes 'Mr. Veto'

In all, Youngkin signed 777 bills, vetoed 153 bills and amended 116 bills since the General Assembly adjourned the 2024 session in early March. He now holds the record for the most vetoes of any governor in Virginia’s history.

The General Assembly will meet again on April 17 in a reconvene session to examine the governor’s action on legislation and the budget. The legislative body can override a veto by the governor if it is able to achieve a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia Gov. Youngkin vetoes bill aimed at lowering drug costs