Richmond Leader

Richmond, VA – On May 1,  Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) welcomed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to Richmond, where they toured Hope Pharmacy in the Market at 25th.

Following the pharmacy tour, Congresswoman McClellan and Secretary Becerra held a press conference with Dr. Shantelle Brown, owner and head pharmacist of HOPE Pharmacy; Amy Strite, Executive Director of Senior Connections; Jim Dau, State Director for Virginia AARP; and Dale Gentz, a local Virginian senior. They highlighted crucial cost-saving provisions made available to Virginian families and seniors through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“It was a pleasure to welcome HHS Secretary Becerra to Richmond to highlight important health care provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “The IRA will lower costs for hardworking Virginians and our seniors, expand coverage to more than 60,000 uninsured Virginians, and narrow health disparities to achieve better public health outcomes. It will lower health care costs by reducing costs for life-saving prescription drug medications, bring down health insurance premiums, and cap out-of-pocket expenses. The IRA will make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents here in Virginia’s Fourth.”

“Congresswoman McClellan, thank you for insisting I come to the Fourth District of Virginia, your homebase, to talk to the folks you represent about this new law,” said HHS Secretary Becerra during the press conference. “Why should we have to pay such high prices for medicine that is supposed to keep us alive? The Inflation Reduction Act is so important because it helps Americans not just stay healthy, but in many cases, stay alive. It helps them keep their lights on when they have to make the choice. It helps them pay that rent or that mortgage when they have to make a choice. And it lets them not only come and visit HOPE Pharmacy and Dr. Brown to pick up the prescription but still have money to buy some of the groceries here in this grocery store.”

The Inflation Reduction Act will put money back into the pockets of hardworking Virginian families and seniors by:

• Capping out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare Part D beneficiaries at $2,000 per year.
•  Allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs.
• Capping insulin copays for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 per month.
• Extending American Rescue Plan (ARP) subsidies to save Virginians about $850 per year.
• Expanding coverage to nearly 63,000 more Virginians.

View more photos from the event here.

Original source can be found here