CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – As people across central Virginia continue to grapple with a lack of pharmacy options, the Democrat hoping to be governor is laying out her policy agenda for improving healthcare access and affordability.

Former 7th District Congresswoman and gubernatorial hopeful Abigail Spanberger tells 29News that, as she’s been speaking with Virginians across the state, there’s one concern that comes up more than any other.

“Those issues so frequently come back to issues of affordability,” Spanberger said.

That’s the piece she thinks is missing from Virginia’s healthcare system. The campaign push comes as the White House’s “Big Beautiful Bill Act” passes through the U.S. House of Representatives and proposes major cuts to Medicaid.

“It’s being able to take action at the state level,” Spanberger said. “In recognition of how incredibly important Medicaid is to so many Virginians, Medicaid is to so many hospitals, the [Affordable Care Act] is to small business owners.”

In a long list of policy priorities, Spanberger says she’s zooming in on protecting access to healthcare in rural parts of the state, increasing transparency with insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and preserving independent pharmacies.

“Far too often, we have health insurers dictating what kind of pharmacy someone can go to, or the price differential becomes so great that there is no option,” Spanberger said.

29News reached out to a spokesperson for Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign via phone and email but has not heard back.

One of Spanberger’s listed goals is to work with the Attorney General to “identify and crack down on scams that are fraudulently enrolling Virginians in unnecessary coverage.” Because it’s possible for Virginia to have a split executive office, there’s a scenario in which Spanberger and Republican nominee for Attorney General Jason Miyares both win their respective races.

Though Spanberger says she’d prefer to work with a Democrat, she maintains that she’s willing to work across party lines.

“Frankly, as it relates to going after people who are scamming Virginians, companies that are preying on people for something so personal, which is their ability to access healthcare, I would hope that would be an area of agreement…regardless of who is elected Attorney General,” Spanberger said.

On her campaign website, Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears outlines affordability as a broader priority, along with bolstering law enforcement and Virginia’s schools. 29News will continue to reach out to her campaign and hopes to speak with her about her policy agenda soon.