As doctors, we are a trusted voice in our communities. In the Hippocratic Oath, we have acknowledged our “special obligations to … fellow human beings.” We vowed to uphold “hard-won scientific gains,” to remember that our treatment of “sick human beings may affect the patient’s family and economic stability,” and to “prevent disease whenever [we] can.” Together, these mean that we have an obligation to use our education and influence to create conditions for a healthy society, including supporting the election of public officials who promote health and well-being. Abigail Spanberger will support the health of Virginians. We support her campaign and will work to raise awareness of the importance of her election to the health of our communities.
Founded by physicians, we invite the membership of all clinical doctors – physicians, dentists, psychologists – as well as doctors-in-training and other health professionals.
We, the undersigned health care professionals, support Abigail Spanberger in her campaign for Governor of Virginia. Spanberger’s legislative record demonstrates a commitment to the health of Virginians. We believe she is the right candidate to protect our Commonwealth during these uncertain times, when the well-being of our patients is threatened. As Governor, she will fight not only for lower costs and access to high-quality health care, but also for the conditions necessary for health, including affordable housing, food and electricity; well-paying jobs; a safe environment; excellent educational opportunities; and an accessible transportation system. We share Abigail’s commitment to policies that protect our patients throughout the Commonwealth, specifically:
Affordable, quality health insurance: Abigail will fight to ensure Virginians have access to affordable, quality health insurance, including for the >1.8 million Virginians who use Medicaid insurance, which covers children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and low-income families, and >300,000 who have relied on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to make insurance affordable.
Prescription drug affordability: Abigail recognizes medications are unaffordable for too many Virginians. In Congress, she took on big pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers, sponsoring and supporting legislation to make drugs more affordable.
Reproductive freedom: Abigail is a staunch defender of women’s health, including access to contraception, IVF and the ability of women to make decisions about their own bodies.
Maternal and child health: Abigail knows the importance of quality care for pregnant and postpartum women and that health trajectories begin in childhood. She supports policies that help moms and babies get the right start: paid family leave; affordable, high-quality child care; school lunch access; and excellent public education. She will work with stakeholders across the Commonwealth to tackle longstanding disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Substance use and behavioral health: Virginia, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic. Abigail fought narcotics trafficking as a former federal law enforcement officer; she knows what it takes to protect Virginians from fentanyl while also supporting patients with substance use disorders. Too many Virginians struggle to access behavioral health treatment. Our next governor should continue to invest in programs like the Adult Psychiatric Access Line to support integration of behavioral health in primary care settings.
Public health: Cuts in federal funding will contribute to the spread of preventable disease. Public health is essential for maintaining high immunization rates; prevention of communicable diseases, including STIs; HIV/AIDS care/prevention; chronic disease prevention/early detection (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia); tobacco cessation/prevention; environmental health (food/water safety, air quality); oral health; as well as proactive planning for future health threats. Virginia deserves a governor who believes in public health, including the life-saving potential of vaccines, and who will bolster state and local public health agencies amidst federal backsliding.
Gun violence: As a former law enforcement officer, Abigail understands not only the toll gun violence inflicts on our communities but also the policies we need to keep us safe, such as safe storage laws.
Veterans healthcare: As the daughter of an Army veteran, Abigail stands with our veterans and supports their right to high-quality care at VA medical facilities across the Commonwealth.
Biomedical research: With NIH funding cuts, Virginia needs a governor who understands the benefits of biomedical research, including at Virginia’s many hospitals and universities, to advance life-saving knowledge and train the next generation of scientists.
Telehealth: Abigail has made expanded access to telemedicine a cornerstone of her health care agenda, just as she did in Congress. Telemedicine has been shown to make care more accessible in rural and underserved communities.
Health care workforce development: Virginia faces a health care worker shortage, particularly in critical areas such as nursing, behavioral health, and primary care. While in Congress, Abigail tackled this shortage through supporting legislation to allow foreign-born, American-trained doctors to practice in the US, and securing federal funds for the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority. Her proposals to strengthen Virginia’s educational system will also help the workforce pipeline.
Health care worker wellbeing: Burnout and moral injury are at crisis levels among health care workers. While in Congress, Abigail voted for the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, named after a VCU medical graduate and Charlottesville physician. This Act provides funding reduce burnout and suicide and to provide mental health care for health care workers.
An Open Letter in Support of Abigail Spanberger
for Governor from Doctors
"As a pediatrician, I'm voting for Spanberger because she will make paid maternity and paternity leave a reality for every Virginian. Too many parents are currently making the choice between pay and bonding with their babies, between job and breastfeeding a child. Families deserve real support."
Dr. Megan Prior
Fort Hunt, Virginia
"“As a physician, leader, and expert in healthcare worker well-being and burnout, I support Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia because she understands the urgent need to protect our healthcare workforce. She co‑sponsored the bipartisan Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which provides grants for mental health treatment, peer support, and suicide-prevention training specifically for frontline workers. Her leadership shows her commitment to both Virginia’s caregivers and the communities they serve."
Dr. Gwendolyn Williams
Williamsburg, VA
"As a healthcare provider, I see firsthand how many women are balancing their own health concerns while caring for their families and holding down jobs. Access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare isn't just essential for the women I treat, but it's vital for their families and for the strength of our workforce. We need medical care and research that are focused specifically on women because when women have access to the care they need, everyone benefits. I trust Abigail Spanberger to protect women's healthcare access and to keep pushing for investments in women's health research."
Dr. Deborah Koehn
Richmond, Virginia
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