Harris to keep up fight on prescription drug costs that have already helped Virginians

The Biden-Harris administration continues fighting for bills that protect health care access and benefits for Virginians.

Virginians can now find health care coverage easier to get and easier to pay for, thanks to two pieces of legislation passed by the Biden-Harris administration. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are bringing lower costs for prescription drugs, free vaccines, help paying for health care premiums, and much more to the Old Dominion State.

Kamala Harris Vows to Continue Fighting

As Vice President, as Attorney General of California, and as a U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris has taken on pharmaceutical companies and other large corporate interests. Recently, she called for removing medical debt nationwide, which affects more than 500,000 Virginians.

“When I was attorney general of California, I met with countless families who were often quietly suffering because they or a loved one could not afford the medication they needed and were prescribed,” Harris explained, “I investigated drugmakers that tried to stop production of cheaper, generic versions of their drugs, and we held them accountable … every person, not just the wealthy or well-connected, [will have] the opportunity to thrive and can live a life of dignity after they retire.”

Direct Benefits for Virginia

The IRA, passed in 2022 despite fierce opposition from Congressional Republicans, helps Virginians with:

• Capping out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare Part D enrollees–saving 390,000 Virginians an average of $441 per year;
• Making shingles, RSV, and other recommended adult vaccines free (234,000 Virginia Medicare enrollees received a vaccine in 2023);
• Capping insulin at $35 per month for some 74,000 Virginia Medicare enrollees relying on that medication;
• Expanding coverage for Virginians, allowing some 63,000 residents to gain health insurance; 
• Expanding the “Extra Help” subsidy program, moving about 12,000 low-income Part D enrollees in 2020 from partial to full benefits.

ARPA was passed in 2021, without any Republican votes and with Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote. It builds on the Affordable Care Act–also known as ACA or Obamacare–to help Americans access necessary health care. Some 308,000 Virginians with Marketplace coverage were able to continue saving $850 per year. Small business owners and middle-income older retirees can especially benefit.

ARPA health care benefits include:

• Expanding premium subsidies for low-income seniors;
• Expanding eligibility and increasing subsidies for low-income people;
• Expanding home and community-based health care services, allowing seniors to get care closer to or inside their homes;
• Increasing funding for mental health and substance abuse disorders.

New Virginian Health Care Coverage

A record 396,000 Virginians signed up for health care coverage through Virginia’s new Insurance Marketplace in 2024. This new system ensures residents experience ACA protections including affordable health care premiums, while also increasing the number of people able to get health care.

To learn more about Virginia health care coverage for you and your family, see https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/.