Jones

Jay Jones
Attorney General

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Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Bipartisan Coalition in Support of Federal Rule to Increase Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing and Lower Costs

  Comment letter supports stronger disclosure requirements for PBMs, seeks clarity that proposed rule doesn’t preempt state PBM transparency laws

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RICHMOND, Va - Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter supporting a proposed U.S. Department of Labor (Department) rule that would require greater transparency from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that service employer-funded health plans covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The new rule would require PBMs to disclose twice a year how they generate revenue and would give employers the right to audit them. PBMs have also long sought to avoid state regulation by claiming federal preemption under ERISA. The attorneys general urge the Department to clarify that the proposed rule does not preempt state PBM transparency laws. 

Today, the top three PBMs manage approximately 80% of prescription drug claims. Due to the power imbalance held by PBMs and the negative effects of such power on drug pricing, all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have enacted laws to rein them in. Common provisions include limits on patient out-of-pocket costs, bans on “gag clauses” that prevent pharmacists from telling patients they could save money by paying for their prescription out of pocket instead of using insurance, and protections against unfair treatment of independent pharmacies.

“We’re living in a time when Virginians especially are pinching every single penny to afford basic necessities like medications, food, and fuel. They deserve to have transparency from pharmacy benefit managers, and they deserve to pay reasonable prices for their life-saving medications,” Attorney General Jones said. “It is beyond time to reform and improve this system and keep costs low for local pharmacies so that higher prices are not passed on to consumers.”  

Further, in the comment letter, the attorneys general ask the Department to clarify that it supports working with them to enforce the rule. According to the coalition, there should be mention that nothing in the rule is intended to prevent the Department from referring matters to state attorneys general, requesting their investigative or enforcement assistance, or coordinating with them when the Department discovers violations of state law.

Created in the late 1960s to process prescription drug claims, PBMs now play a far broader and more powerful role in the health care system by managing prescription drug benefits for health insurers. This includes, among other things, negotiating rebates and reimbursements with drug manufacturers and determining which drugs are covered and at what cost. Approximately 136 million Americans receive health coverage through an employer — either their own job or a family member’s — and the proposed rule responds to concerns that employers often lack visibility into how PBMs are making money or why drug costs change. 

In submitting today’s comment letter, Attorney General Jones joins the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  

SPANBERGER

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 6, 2026 

CONTACT: press@governor.virginia.gov

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Governor Spanberger Signs Bills Into Law Welcoming 3,250 New Jobs, $7.1 Billion in Business Investment to Virginia

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The Governor Signed Bills to Accelerate Economic Development Projects Across the Commonwealth — Including the Second-Largest Project Ever in Southern Virginia 

Spanberger: “Attracting New Businesses and Jobs to Virginia is a Core Focus of My Administration” 

**CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOADABLE PHOTO OF THE BILL SIGNING

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation to grow Virginia’s economy, create new jobs for Virginians, and support business investment in Virginia communities.

The bills the Governor signed into law will support economic development projects across the Commonwealth — including the more than $500 million investment in Pittsylvania County that Governor Spanberger announced in February. The investment by Avio USA Inc. — a leading global aerospace company — will establish an 860,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in the Town of Hurt.

The new facility will produce solid rocket motors for defense, tactile propulsion, missile systems, and the commercial space sectors. As the second-largest economic development project in Southern Virginia history, the Pittsylvania facility will bring more than 1,500 new jobs to the region. 

“From my very first day in office, I have been working to create a stable business environment so companies can hire, expand, and continue to invest in our Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “I am signing these bills into law so we can continue to grow Virginia’s economy and create opportunities for Virginians.”

Spanberger continued, “Attracting new businesses and jobs to Virginia is a core focus of my administration — and I’m proud of the hundreds of millions of dollars in investment we have already announced this year. I look forward to continuing to work with legislators, local communities, and business leaders as we make clear that Virginia is the top state in the nation to grow or start a business.” 

Governor Spanberger signed the following bills into law to support business investment in the Commonwealth and create jobs for Virginians:

• HB1531 (Delegate Luke Torian), SB835 (Senator L. Louise Lucas) — Avio USA will invest more than $537 million and create more than 1,500 jobs in Pittsylvania, building solid rocket motors for the defense, tactile propulsion, missile systems, and commercial space sectors. Passed with bipartisan support.

• HB799 (Delegate Luke Torian), SB403 (Senator L. Louise Lucas) — Hitachi Energy will invest more than $457 million and create more than 825 jobs in Halifax to produce critical electrical grid infrastructure. Passed with bipartisan support.

• HB800 (Delegate Luke Torian), SB404 (Senator L. Louise Lucas) — Eli Lilly and Company will invest more than $2 billion and create more than 450 jobs in Goochland to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for cancer, autoimmune, and other advanced therapies. Passed with bipartisan support.

• HB1076 (Delegate Amy Laufer), SB527 (Senator Creigh Deeds) — AstraZeneca will invest $4 billion and create 500 jobs in Albermarle to manufacture medication for chronic diseases and antibody-drug conjugates. Passed with bipartisan support.

BACKGROUND

Last week, Governor Spanberger signed her first slate of legislation to make healthcare, housing, and energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Virginians. The Governor signed bills to crack down on rising prescription drug costs, increase the supply of available housing, and protect Virginia families and small businesses from increased energy costs.

In the opening months of her administration, Governor Spanberger is also working alongside legislators and local communities to attract new investment in the Commonwealth. Since taking office, the Governor has announced more than $580 million in new business investment in communities across the Commonwealth — including the second-largest economic development deal in Southern Virginia history. In total, these investments will create more than 2,000 new jobs for Virginians. 

KAINE

United States Senate

Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fri., April 3, 2026

NEW REPORT: TEN VIRGINIA HOSPITALS AT RISK OF CLOSURE DUE TO REPUBLICANS’ MEDICAID CUTS

WASHINGTON – Following a new report finding that Medicaid cuts have put ten hospitals in Virginia at risk of closure, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) underscored the devastating effects of the Republican budget law on communities across the Commonwealth.

“From Southwest to Northern Virginia, hospitals across the Commonwealth are now at risk of closure because of Republicans’ tax giveaway bill for the ultra-wealthy,” said the senators. “While the rich got trillions in tax breaks, hard-working Virginians are left paying the price. This latest report shows just how cruel and reckless this law is. Virginians, and Americans across the country, deserve reliable access to affordable, quality care.”

The report shows the Virginia hospitals at risk of closure are:

• Bon Secours Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center (Emporia, Va.)

• Buchanan General Hospital (Grundy, Va.)

• Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital (Tazewell, Va.)

• Dickenson Community Hospital (Clintwood, Va.)

• Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital (South Boston, Va.)

• Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (Woodbridge, Va.)

• Southside Community Hospital (Farmville, Va.)

• Twin County Regional Hospital (Galax, Va.)

• VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (South Hill, Va.)

• VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital (Tappahannock, Va.)

The report also highlighted how Farmville’s Centra Southside Community Hospital was forced to close labor and delivery and OBGYN surgical services, as well as outpatient care with its affiliated women’s center, because it “like other rural health care providers, must adapt to significant financial and operational challenges, including recently enacted reductions in federal health care funding.”

Warner and Kaine strongly opposed the Republican law because it makes massive cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Virginians rely on in order to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy. While the bill was being considered in the Senate, Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the legislation, but Republicans blocked them.

WARNER

One Month Into Iran War, Virginians Have Paid $254 Million for Gas

Apr 02 2026

WASHINGTON – A new congressional analysis finds that Virginians have already paid $254 million more at the pump as a result of President Trump’s war of choice in Iran, part of a broader nationwide increase in gasoline costs totaling an estimated $8.4 billion for American families. The report shows the national average price of gasoline has now risen above $4 a gallon, with fill-up costs reaching $145 for the top-selling pickup truck, $58 for the top-selling SUV, and $52 for the top-selling sedan.

“We’ve said it countless times: there was no imminent threat to the U.S. when President Trump entered this war with Iran. Trump went in with no clear plan, goals, or objectives, and now working families are stuck footing the bill,” said U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA). “Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz was a predictable response that the administration was embarrassingly unprepared for. Now, Virginians are paying hundreds of millions more at the pump, while costs are rising for groceries, air travel, fertilizer, aluminum, and more. Even if the Strait reopened tomorrow, the chaos Trump has caused for global markets means these increased costs are here for the long haul.”

To calculate gas cost changes, the analysis used AAA, Federal Highway Administration, and Energy Information Administration data in order to estimate the increase in gasoline spending since February 28 and data from Edmunds on the top-selling gas vehicles in the United States. It found that fill-up costs are now 35% higher, which means that:

1. The cost to fill up the top-selling pickup truck is now $144.65, an increase of $37.29 

2. The cost to fill up the top-selling SUV is now $58.26, an increase of $15.02

3. The cost to fill up the top-selling sedan is now $52.23, an increase of $13.46 

Trump campaigned on lowering the cost of gasoline and pulling the U.S. out of foreign wars. Instead, he has made the choice to enter the U.S. into a conflict that is dramatically spiking costs across the Commonwealth and country. Increased prices as a result of the war in Iran are hitting American households and businesses at a time when families are already struggling with rising health care, energy, and grocery costs due to Trump’s senseless tariffs and chaotic economic policies.

KAINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2026

KAINE STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S IRAN WAR UPDATE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s update on the Iran war:

“Tonight, more than a month into an illegal and unwise war against Iran, President Trump decided to finally attempt to offer the American public an explanation. That attempt fell way short. Having apparently learned nothing from 25 years of tragic wars in the Middle East, Trump started this war on his own—without a clear rationale, without a well-considered plan, without the support of allies, and without the constitutionally-required authorization from Congress. And now, with mounting U.S. casualties, rapidly escalating expense, widening chaos in the region, and economic punishment of Americans already burdened by fast-rising energy, health care and housing prices, the President tries to both claim victory and blame others for his own ineptitude.

“American troops always perform bravely and with distinction. But they have been too often betrayed by poor decision-making by civilian leadership, and this sad pattern is repeating itself here.

“The solution is not more war. It’s time for Congress to end the President’s war-making, remove our troops from harm’s way, restore our ties with allies rather than destroy them, prioritize defense and diplomacy rather than juvenile boasting about war, and finally focus on helping Americans here at home by tackling the affordability crisis.”

Kaine has been a leading voice against unauthorized wars during his time in the Senate. So far this year, Kaine has helped force three votes in the Senate on War Powers Resolutions to block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran. Senate Republicans have blocked each resolution.

SPANBERGER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2026
Contact: press@vademocrats.org

 

Governor Abigail Spanberger Signs Executive Order to Rejoin ERIC and Strengthen Virginia’s Election Integrity

Executive action reverses Virginia’s 2023 withdrawal from ERIC and reinstates a key tool for maintaining accurate voter registration records across the Commonwealth.
 

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - On Tuesday, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 13, which works to strengthen Virginia’s approach to protecting the integrity of elections across the Commonwealth, enhance election security processes, and rejoin the 26-state Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). 

ERIC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of 26 states that share voter registration and identification data, in an effort to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter rolls. Virginia was one of the founding states of ERIC when it was established in 2012, under former Governor Bob McDonnell. In 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin withdrew Virginia from ERIC, a move that made it more challenging for election officials to track voters who have relocated out of Virginia, changed their contact information, hold duplicate registrations, or are deceased. 

“Virginia’s decision to rejoin ERIC restores proven tools that work to keep our voting systems fair and secure, and marks a critical step toward strengthening trust in our democratic processes,” said Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Senator Lamont Bagby. “This program will provide election administrators with the information they need to maintain accurate voter rolls and ensure our elections run smoothly across the Commonwealth.” 

To read the full text of Governor Spanberger’s Executive Order 13, visit: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/EO-13.pdf