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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”

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”

Governance Bills Update 2/14

GOVERNANCE

BILL UPDATE – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: SB917 – Collective Bargaining by Public Employees

STATUS: This bill passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee yesterday, 2/13 and is now headed to the House floor.

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. 

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Regulatory Reform Bills Update 2/13

REGULATORY REFORM

BILL UPDATE – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB2094 – High-risk artificial intelligence regulation

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee yesterday, 2/12, and is headed to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

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.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Healthcare Bills Update 2/12

HEALTHCARE

BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

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

STATUS: This bill has passed the House Behavioral Health Subcommittee and has moved back to the House Health and Human Services Committee for a vote.

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 has passed the House Social Services Subcommittee and is headed back to the House Health and Human Services Committee for a vote.

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. 

SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review

STATUS: This bill was passed by the House Health and Human Services Committee and is headed to the House floor for a 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.

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

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

STATUS: This bill was passed by the House Health and Human Services Committee and is headed to the House floor for a 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. 

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Regulatory Reform Bills Update 2/12

REGULATORY REFORM

OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

OPPOSE: HB2094 – High-risk artificial intelligence regulation

STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee TODAY, 2/12 in Senate Room B, 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate.

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.

Contact these Senators and tell them to VOTE NO on HB2094!

Senate General Laws and Technology CommitteeDistrictPhoneEmail
Chair: Senator Adam P. Ebbin(D)39(804) 698-7539[email protected]
Senator Lashrecse D. Aird(D)13(804) 698-7513[email protected]
Senator Christie New Craig (R)19(804) 698-7519[email protected]
Senator Jennifer D. Carroll Foy(D)33(804) 698-7533[email protected]
Senator Timmy F. French(R)1(804) 698-7501[email protected]
Senator Christopher T. Head(R)3(804) 698-7503[email protected]
Senator Emily M. Jordan(R)17(804) 698-7517[email protected]
Senator Mamie E. Locke(D)23(804) 698-7523[email protected]
Senator Jeremy S. McPike(D)29(804) 698-7529[email protected]
Senator Todd E. Pillion(R)6(804) 698-7506[email protected]
Senator Bryce E. Reeves(R)28(804) 698-7528[email protected]
Senator Danica A. Roem(D)30(804) 698-7530[email protected]
Senator Aaron R. Rouse(D)22(804) 698-7522[email protected]
Senator Suhas Subramanyam(D)32(804) 698-7532[email protected]
Senator Schuyler T. VanValkenburg(D)16(804) 698-7516[email protected]

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Education Bills Update 2/12

EDUCATION

BILL UPDATE – SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB1014 – Department of Human Resource Management; hiring on the basis of direct experience.

STATUS: This bill passed the House yesterday, 2/11 and is headed to the Governors desk.

This bill restricts agencies from requiring a college degree in the hiring of state employees unless the job were to actually require it.

Contact the Governor and tell him to sign SB1014.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

or

Call: (804) 786-2211

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Governance Bills Update 2/11

GOVERNANCE

OPPOSE – KILLED

OPPOSE: HB2089 – Home Care Provider Collective Bargaining

STATUS: This bill was killed yesterday in the Senate Commerce and Labor.

This bill creates the Virginia Home Care Authority to oversee home care services and allows individual home care providers to unionize and collectively bargain. The bill only takes effect if Virginia enacts broader public employee collective bargaining legislation.

OPPOSE: HB2495 – Firefighter and EMS Collective Bargaining

STATUS: This bill was killed yesterday in the Senate Commerce and Labor.

This bill authorizes collective bargaining rights for firefighters and emergency medical services providers in Virginia. The legislation creates a Fire Service Cooperation Board to oversee labor relations, establishes procedures for union elections and dispute resolution, and provides binding arbitration for unresolved contract negotiations. Effective January 1, 2026.

Click here to view more “Recent Updates”

Healthcare Bills Update 2/11

HEALTHCARE

BILL UPDATES – OPPOSE

OPPOSE: HB1552 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals

STATUS: This bill was passed the Senate by a vote of 39-0 and will now be moved to the Governors 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. 

OPPOSE: HB1724 – Medicinal Price Setting

STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and moved over to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

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”