HEALTHCARE
SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION
SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 2/4, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2119!
BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT
SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion
STATUS: This bill passed on the House floor yesterday, 2/3. It will now be sent to the Senate and will be assigned to a Senate committee.
Expands healthcare access by allowing qualified nurse midwives and pediatric nurse practitioners to provide newborn nursery coverage when physicians are unavailable, with appropriate training requirements. Enables telehealth consultation options while maintaining quality standards and safety protocols. This reduces regulatory barriers and increases healthcare provider options, particularly benefiting rural areas with physician shortages.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill was on the Senate Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 2/3. It was read for the second time and was also read for the third time and passed on the Senate floor. It will now be sent to the House and will be assigned to a House committee.
This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
