Beth Macy
DemocraticQ9 Healthcare affordability and access are major issues for Virginians. A 2025 survey by Altarum found that 72% of Virginians worry about paying for healthcare in the future. If elected, what action would you take to address healthcare affordability and access?
First, I support restoring ACA enhanced subsidies and rescinding Medicare cuts immediately. I support universal healthcare coverage.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q10 Healthcare access and affordability can also vary by demographics and need (e.g., rural areas, maternity care, mental healthcare). Are there any targeted programs you would support for specific needs or populations?
Maternal care is a huge issue in my rural district.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q11 Virginia hosts the largest data center market in the world. Dominion Energy has proposed a 14% rate increase for residential customers in 2026, citing data center growth and AI-driven demand. What is your view on how the costs and benefits of data center growth should be divided between developers and residential ratepayers, and what policies, if any, would you support on this issue?
I support a moratorium on data center construction until laws are passed and guardrails put up to protect our water and environment, contain AI and make Big Tech pay the bills.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q12 According to the Virginia Department of Education, there are currently overall fewer vacant teaching positions in public schools than in years’ past. However, teacher shortages are still a major concern, particularly in areas such as special education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and early childhood. Through what policies, if any, would you address teacher shortages in Virginia’s K-12 schools in these high-demand areas, particularly in STEM?
I believe Congress should take advantage of community colleges and career-switcher programs to bring people from outside of teaching into the profession.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q13 As a member of Congress, you would vote on appropriations for federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. What priorities, if any, would guide your decisions on federal science funding?
First, I would restore cuts to NIH and all government-backed science programs Roanoke, in my district, is home to the Fralin Biomedical Institute, which has been hurt by cuts. I support continued funding for NIH and NSF.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q14 As a member of Congress, you would also vote on appropriations affecting federal civilian positions, and the availability of these positions. Specifically focusing on workforce positions related to public health, science, and research and development, how would you approach appropriations/funding for federal civilian positions?
I have met with government workers who were DOGE’d out of jobs. I support restoring funding to fill those positions, including for science and research.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress
Q15 Scientific and technical expertise can inform decisions related to healthcare, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you communicate scientific uncertainty or evolving evidence to the public?
Unlike the current administration, I would put my faith in scientists and researchers and give them the freedom to do their work.
KEYWORDS: Beth Macy for Congress