HEALTHCARE
OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION
OPPOSE: HB1552 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals
STATUS: This bill was on the House Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 1/28. It is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 1/29, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
This bill would further entrench Virginia in the problems caused by the Certificate of Public Need program. It would allow certain hospitals, defined as critical access hospitals, to receive an exemption from COPN. This interference in the market place would cause inequity and continue to allow hospitals to choose winners and losers in the market of medical services.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1552!
SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION
SUPPORT: SB1037 – School-based Telehealth and Mental Health Services
STATUS: This bill was on the House Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 1/28. It is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 1/29, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
Empowers local school boards to increase healthcare access by allowing students to receive telehealth and mental health services during school hours, respecting parental rights through consent requirements. The bill preserves local control by letting school boards develop their own policies while ensuring student privacy and preventing disciplinary action for receiving healthcare services. This approach expands healthcare options without mandating participation, aligning with principles of individual choice and limited government intervention.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
Please contact these Senators immediately and ask them to VOTE YES on SB1037
| Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee | District | Phone | |
| Chair: Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) | 18 | (804) 698-7518 | senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Jennifer B. Boysko (D) | 38 | (804) 698-7538 | senatorboysko@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D) | 11 | (804) 698-7511 | senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D) | 39 | (804) 698-7539 | senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Barbara A. Favola (D) | 40 | (804) 698-7540 | senatorfavola@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi (D) | 15 | (804) 698-7515 | senatorhashmi@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Mamie E. Locke (D) | 23 | (804) 698-7523 | senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator David W. Marsden (D) | 35 | (804) 698-7535 | senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R) | 26 | (804) 698-7526 | senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Jeremy S. McPike (D) | 29 | (804) 698-7529 | senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Mark D. Obenshain (R) | 2 | (804) 698-7502 | senatorobenshain@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Todd E. Pillion (R) | 6 | (804) 698-7506 | senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R) | 28 | (804) 698-7528 | senatorreeves@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Richard H. Stuart (R) | 25 | (804) 698-7525 | senatorstuart@senate.virginia.gov |
| Senator Scott A. Surovell (D) | 34 | (804) 698-7534 | senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov |
BILL UPDATES –OPPOSE
OPPOSE: SB1177 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals
STATUS: This bill was passed on the Senate floor yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
This bill would further entrench Virginia in the problems caused by the Certificate of Public Need program. It would allow certain hospitals, defined as critical access hospitals, to receive an exemption from COPN. This interference in the market place would cause inequity and continue to allow hospitals to choose winners and losers in the market of medical services.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT
SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill passed the House Health Subcommittee yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the full House Health and Human Services 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
SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform
STATUS: This bill passed on the Senate floor yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
This bill streamlines the certificate of public need (COPN) process for medical facilities by establishing an expedited 90-day review for certain psychiatric services, creating clear criteria for project reviews, and ensuring efficient processing of applications. The reforms maintain oversight of healthcare facility expansion while reducing regulatory burden through more efficient approval processes, supporting increased access to behavioral health services.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Health Subcommittee yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the full Senate Education and Health 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
