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House passes Affordable Medicine Act to extend federal negotiated drug prices to Virginia
Summary
The Virginia House approved the Affordable Medicine Act, a floor substitute to mirror federal Medicare negotiated prices and require savings be passed to consumers; supporters said it will lower out-of-pocket costs beginning July 1, 2027, and opponents raised implementation questions. Vote: 95–4.
The Virginia House of Delegates on March 10 approved a floor substitute to SB 271, the Affordable Medicine Act, a bill its sponsor said is modeled on federal Medicare negotiated prices and designed to reduce prescription drug costs for Virginia residents.
Delegate Delaney, the bill’s floor manager, described the measure as “the culmination of years of effort” and said it would deliver “affordability by saving Virginiaians millions of dollars on life‑saving medications starting on July 1st, 2027.” The substitute directs state authorities to rely on existing federal maximum fair prices where available and includes a delayed effective date and regulatory implementation period so state agencies can prepare.
Supporters said the measure expands accountability beyond manufacturers to include pharmacy benefit managers, requires cost savings be passed to consumers at the point of sale, and preserves safeguards for rare‑disease and plasma‑based therapies. “This bill gives teeth to hold drug companies and pharmacy benefit managers accountable when there is price gouging,” one supporter said during debate.
Some delegates expressed reservations about technical definitions and enforcement details and urged additional time to fine‑tune language. Representative floor remarks included a delegate who said they had opposed earlier versions but were changing their vote in support after the substitute’s revisions, noting improved transparency and passing of rebates to patients.
The House adopted the substitute and passed SB 271 by a recorded vote of 95 yeas to 4 nays. The bill contains a delayed enactment to allow the Department of Health and other agencies to prepare regulations and to ensure that any savings derived from the “maximum fair price” are passed through to consumers rather than retained by intermediaries.
Next steps: the legislation proceeds to any remaining enrollment and enrollment certification steps and, if identical language does not already exist in the Senate, to conference. Implementation details and rule‑making by the relevant state agencies are expected before the bill’s delayed effective date.
Sources: floor debate and sponsor remarks delivered in the House session on March 10, 2026.
