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Healthcare Bills Update 2/19

HEALTHCARE

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB1724 – Medicinal Price Setting

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate yesterday, 2/18, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.

Contact the Governor and urge him to VETO HB1724!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate yesterday, 2/18, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

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.

Contact the Governor and urge him to SIGN HB2119!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate yesterday, 2/18, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

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.

Contact the Governor and urge him to SIGN HB1904!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform

STATUS: This bill passed the House yesterday, 2/18, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

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.

Contact the Governor and urge him to SIGN SB1064!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

SUPPORT: SB843 – Remote Patient Monitoring

STATUS: This bill passed the House yesterday, 2/18, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility criteria under Medicaid for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions. These proposed changes would allow for a vulnerable demographic of Virginians, those with chronic conditions, to receive critical attention from medical professionals without further jeopardizing their health through unnecessary movement and travel. 

Contact the Governor and urge him to SIGN SB843!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Governance Bills Update 2/18

GOVERNANCE

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB917 – Collective Bargaining by Public Employees

STATUS: This bill is on the House Third Reading calendar TODAY, 2/18, and is expected to receive a floor vote.

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for public employee collective bargaining, creating a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee negotiations while maintaining critical limitations on government employee strikes. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB917!

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Regulatory Reform Bills Update 2/18

REGULATORY REFORM

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB2094 – High-risk artificial intelligence regulation

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, 2/18 for a Third Reading.

This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2094!

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Election Bills Update 2/18

ELECTIONS

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and is on the House Second Reading calendar TODAY, 2/18. It is expected to be on the House Third Reading calendar tomorrow, 2/17 and receive a floor vote.

Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB1009!

OPPOSE: SB760 – Absentee Ballot Receipt Deadline

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and is on the House Second Reading calendar TODAY, 2/18. It is expected to be on the House Third Reading calendar tomorrow, 2/17 and receive a floor vote.

Changes deadline from noon to 5:00 PM on the third day after Election Day for receiving absentee ballots and for a voter to provide missing information needed to accompany a provisional ballot (like an ID). This change would unnecessarily delay election results, decreasing voter confidence.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB760!

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: SB1302 – Citizens and Noncitizen Drivers Licenses Identical

STATUS: This bill has not been voted on by the full Transportation Committee in the House and there are no remaining meetings scheduled for that Committee.

Changes Virginia DMV rules to match limited-duration (issued to noncitizens) license expiration dates with license and identification card expiration dates issued to citizens. This would make them fully indistinguishable from each other and would inhibit the ability to tell which cards are permitted for voting purposes.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Healthcare Bills Update 2/18

HEALTHCARE

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, 2/18 for a Third Reading.

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.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB1904!

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, 2/18 for a Third Reading.

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.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2119!

SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform

STATUS: This bill is on the House calendar TODAY, 2/18 for a Third Reading.

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.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on SB1064!

SUPPORT: SB843 – Remote Patient Monitoring

STATUS: This bill is on the House calendar TODAY, 2/18 for the Third Reading.

This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility criteria under Medicaid for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions. These proposed changes would allow for a vulnerable demographic of Virginians, those with chronic conditions, to receive critical attention from medical professionals without further jeopardizing their health through unnecessary movement and travel. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on SB843!

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB1724 – Medicinal Price Setting

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, 2/18 for the Third Reading.

This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1724!

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Regulatory Reform Bills Update 2/17

REGULATORY REFORM

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB2094 – High-risk artificial intelligence regulation

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the House and on Friday, 2/14, passed in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. This bill will now be sent to the Senate floor for a vote.

This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.

KILLED – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB932 – Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Standardization

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the House and this morning, 2/17, was killed in the Senate Rules Committee because no committee member made a motion for the bill to receive a vote.

This bill establishes statewide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), promoting housing flexibility by requiring localities to permit ADUs in single-family residential zones. The legislation balances local regulatory needs with homeowner rights, creating a streamlined process for ADU development while maintaining reasonable restrictions on size, location, and occupancy to protect neighborhood characteristics and property values.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Healthcare Bills Update 2/17

HEALTHCARE

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, for the Second Reading.

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.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB2119!

SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform

STATUS: This bill is on the House calendar TODAY, for the Second Reading.

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.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on SB1064!

SUPPORT: SB843 – Remote Patient Monitoring

STATUS: This bill is on the House calendar TODAY, for the Second Reading.

This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility criteria under Medicaid for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions. These proposed changes would allow for a vulnerable demographic of Virginians, those with chronic conditions, to receive critical attention from medical professionals without further jeopardizing their health through unnecessary movement and travel. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on SB843!

SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion

STATUS: This bill is on the Senate calendar TODAY, for the Second Reading.

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.

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on HB1904!

SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Friday, 2/14, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

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.

Contact the Governor and urge him to SIGN SB1203!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB1177 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals

STATUS: This bill passed the House Friday, 2/14, and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

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. 

Contact the Governor and urge him to VETO SB1177!

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB1724 – Medicinal Price Setting

STATUS: This bill was passed by the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Friday, 2/14 and will head to the Senate floor.

This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Election Bills Update 2/17

ELECTIONS

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB2002 – Voter Registration Cancellation Data Sources

STATUS: This bill previously passed the House and on Friday, 2/14, passed in the Senate. It will now be sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.

This bill limits voter registration cancellations to data provided only by the Department of Elections or state-approved agencies, inhibiting our general registrars ability to maintain an accurate registered voter list.

Contact the Governor and tell him to VETO HB2002.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

OPPOSE: HB2277 – Compelled Election Results Certification

STATUS: This bill previously passed the House and on Friday, 2/14, passed in the Senate. It will now be sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.

Imposes $1,000 civil penalty on electoral board members who refuse to certify results. This impedes their ability to serve properly as an electoral board member, oversee elections and use their best judgement to certify elections. 

Contact the Governor and tell him to VETO HB2277.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

OPPOSE: HB2056 – Weaken Authority of Electoral Boards

STATUS: This bill previously passed the House and on Friday, 2/14, passed in the Senate. It will now be sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.

This bill removes the ability for local Electoral Boards to set details for early voting, including operating hours, and instead places those decisions in the hands of City Councils and Boards of Supervisors. Decisions of this nature are best left with Electoral Boards who are charged to oversee elections and know local elections best. 

Contact the Governor and tell him to VETO HB2056.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB1657 – Voter List Maintenance Timing

STATUS: This bill was passed in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday, 2/14. It will now be sent to the Senate floor for a vote.

Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy. 

Find your Senator’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1657!

OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and was passed in the House Privileges and Elections Committee on Friday, 2/14. It will now be sent to the House floor for a vote.

Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation. 

OPPOSE: SB760 – Absentee Ballot Receipt Deadline

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and was passed in the House Privileges and Elections Committee on Friday, 2/14. It will now be sent to the House floor for a vote.

Changes deadline from noon to 5:00 PM on the third day after Election Day for receiving absentee ballots and for a voter to provide missing information needed to accompany a provisional ballot (like an ID). This change would unnecessarily delay election results, decreasing voter confidence.

SUPPORT: SB1044 – Election Results Reporting for Absentee and Provisional Ballots

STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and was passed in the House Privileges and Elections Committee on Friday, 2/14. It will now be sent to the House floor for a vote.

This bill enhances election transparency by requiring detailed reporting of absentee and provisional ballot results. General registrars must separately report early in-person voting results from other absentee ballots and election day voting. Results must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after election day, ensuring timely and transparent reporting of all ballot types while maintaining systematic verification processes.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Governance Bills Update 2/17

GOVERNANCE

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB917 – Collective Bargaining by Public Employees

STATUS: This bill is on the House calendar TODAY, for the Second Reading.

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for public employee collective bargaining, creating a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee negotiations while maintaining critical limitations on government employee strikes. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB917!

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Healthcare Bills Update 2/14

HEALTHCARE

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: SB1177 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals

STATUS: This bill will be voted on TODAY, 2/14 on the House floor for the third reading.

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. 

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE NO on SB1177!

SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill will be voted on TODAY, 2/14 on the House floor for the third reading.

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.

Find your Delegate’s contact information HERE and ask them to VOTE YES on SB1203!

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Education and Health Committee yesterday, 2/13 and is headed to the Senate floor.

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.

SUPPORT: HB1904 – Nursery service provider expansion

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Education and Health Committee yesterday, 2/13 and is headed to the Senate floor.

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.

SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform

STATUS: This bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday, 2/13 and is headed to the House floor.

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.

SUPPORT: SB843 – Remote Patient Monitoring

STATUS: This bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday, 2/13 and is headed to the House floor.

This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility criteria under Medicaid for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions. These proposed changes would allow for a vulnerable demographic of Virginians, those with chronic conditions, to receive critical attention from medical professionals without further jeopardizing their health through unnecessary movement and travel. 

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”