Category Healthcare

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HEALTHCARE

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OPPOSE – CALL TO ACTION

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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!

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SUPPORT – CALL TO ACTION

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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

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Please contact these Senators immediately and ask them to VOTE YES on SB1037

Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee	District	Phone	Email
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

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BILL UPDATES –OPPOSE

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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

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BILL UPDATES – SUPPORT

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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

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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

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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

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