AARP poll | Virginia voters oppose Medicaid cuts at heart of shutdown

Nearly two-thirds of Virginia voters oppose the reduction or elimination of Medicaid coverage, which is why Democrats aren’t signing on to the spending measure that congressional Republicans are holding over all our heads to keep the federal government open.

No doubt, from that number, that the shutdown isn’t going to play well for the MAGA ticket in the 2025 Virginia election cycle.

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AARP Virginia has the numbers from a survey released on Thursday, which also hit on am important state issue – legislation creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and a bulk prescription drug buying pool to bring down the cost of medication.

MAGA Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation to create a PDAB in each of the past two years.

The AARP survey has 84 percent of Virginia voters saying they support the creation of the board, which would evaluate drug costs and could set limits on how much Virginia payers, including individuals, providers and state agencies, can pay for certain high-cost prescription medications

“Virginia voters have made it clear that they want their elected leaders to take action to bring down the price of prescription drugs,” AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau said. “Candidates in the November general election should take note.”

Voters polled also indicated strong support for establishing a bulk prescription drug purchasing pool in Virginia to enable the purchase of medication at reduced rates, with 77 percent saying they back the policy.

Other findings from the poll:

• The poll has 83 percent of voters supporting legislation requiring employers to provide paid family and medical leave to their employees.
• Voters support making it easier for people to access Medicaid for care at home or in their communities, rather than a nursing home, with 84 percent of all voters in favor of the policy.
• Eighty-three percent support requiring nursing homes to direct a significant amount of public money toward resident care rather than administrative or other costs.