Urge Governor Spanberger to sign HB625/SB161 into law today!

Governor Spanberger has until April 13th to sign bills passed by the 2026 General Assembly into law. Please contact the Governor and ask her to support HB625/SB161 to give Virginians health insurance plan options with predictable, affordable out-of-pocket costs. Let her know that this legislation is good for breast cancer patients and their families!

Background on HB625/SB161:

Under many health insurance plans, prescription drugs for complex and chronic illnesses require patients to pay co-insurance, which is a percentage of the total cost of their drug. Unpredictable and unaffordable out-of-pocket costs can force patients to skip doses of life-saving medications or stop taking their prescriptions altogether. Patients living with cancer or other chronic illnesses need the stability of predictable out-of-pocket costs.

VBCF supports this legislation that will give patients an option to choose a health insurance plan with flat-dollar copays for prescription drugs. Health insurance carriers would be required to offer at least one plan in each metal level with a predictable, co-pay-only prescription drug benefit option. Any covered medication within that plan could not exceed: $150 per prescription per month in Platinum plans; $200 per month in Gold Plans; $250 per month in Silver plans; and $300 per prescription per month in Bronze level plans.  

ACTION NEEDED:

Contact Governor Spanberger to Ask Her to Sign HB625/SB161 Into Law

Email address: abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Subject: Support healthcare affordability for Virginians by signing HB625/SB161

SAMPLE MESSAGE:

*Please feel free to edit and add your personal experience if applicable

Dear Governor Spanberger:

I am a breast cancer [survivor/thriver/advocate from city/town] writing to ask you to sign HB625/SB161 into law. This important legislation would give patients like me the option to choose a health insurance plan with transparent and predictable out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.

Advancements in the treatment of breast cancer include many high-cost, specialty medications like the newest, targeted breast therapies, immunotherapy, and drugs used to treat Stage IV breast cancer. Many insurance companies require patients to pay a percentage-based coinsurance for these life-saving medications. These unpredictable and unaffordable out-of-pocket costs can force patients to skip doses or stop taking their prescriptions altogether.

Virginians facing breast cancer need predictable, affordable access to life-saving medications. By requiring insurance companies to give patients a choice to select a plan with a capped, flat-dollar co-pay prescription drug benefit, patients will be better able to manage their medical and financial needs. I urge you to sign HB625/SB191 into law today.

Sincerely,



[Name, City]

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION!

Questions: contact Kirsta Millar

kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.