The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR)— Governor Abigail Spanberger in Arlington highlighted legislation she signed into law to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, as well as steps Virginia is taking to contend with the Trump Administration’s federal healthcare cuts.
Governor Spanberger visited Neighborhood Health in Alexandria — a non-profit community health center serving more than 42,000 Virginians — to speak with providers and patients. While at the health center, the Governor discussed action Virginia has taken to lower healthcare costs across the Commonwealth — including by capping the monthly out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 and stopping predatory middlemen from hiking up prescription drug costs.
“The high cost of healthcare is a top concern for families across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Together with our partners in the General Assembly, my Administration is taking decisive steps to make healthcare more affordable, crack down on the middlemen driving up the cost of prescription drugs, and cap insulin costs for Virginians.”
The Governor also highlighted how Virginia is working to contend with the healthcare cuts in H.R.1, also known as President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Virginia’s biennial budget includes nearly $1 billion in investments to contend with the worst of the impacts — including $150 million to provide targeted premium assistance on the Marketplace to support Virginians losing access to affordable healthcare coverage, and $350 million to establish a Medicaid Reserve Fund to help Virginia prepare for potential federal Medicaid cuts and protect access to care for the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who rely on the program.
Governor Spanberger continued, “Because of the chaos unleashed by President Trump, hundreds of thousands of Virginians are at risk of losing healthcare access. While the President and his extreme allies in Washington are ripping away coverage from kids, families, and our most vulnerable neighbors, I am doing everything in my power to protect Virginians from the worst impacts of these cuts.”
“Everyone is better off when they have access to healthcare at prices they can afford,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “Our state agencies are working tirelessly to protect Virginians from Washington’s healthcare cuts, keep crucial medication like insulin affordable, and ensure our healthcare providers have the support and resources they need to deliver quality, affordable care.”
The Governor was joined by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Paul Krizek, Neighborhood Health CEO Dr. Basim Khan, and local leaders from the community.
“It was a pleasure to see Governor Spanberger on her visit to Neighborhood Health who has been providing first class healthcare to those in need on the Route 1 corridor for the last decade,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. “I’ve seen Neighborhood Health grow from a small operation to a full service health clinic on the front lines of the uninsured population. They will be our first lines of defense to what Trump and congressional Republicans have done to public health in America.”
“Healthcare should be accessible and affordable — not just a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Delegate Paul Krizek. “Neighborhood Health is making this a reality for so many who need it in our community. It was a pleasure to join the Governor to visit the doctors, nurses, staff, and patients at the clinic today.”
“We are grateful to Governor Spanberger for visiting Neighborhood Health and for recognizing the critical role community health centers play in caring for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Neighborhood Health CEO Dr. Basim Khan. “I am especially proud of our dedicated staff, who work every day to ensure that everyone in our community has access to high-quality, compassionate care, regardless of their background, insurance status, or ability to pay.”
