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.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
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.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
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.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
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.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
