I am writing in support of HB45. Athletic trainers are licensed health professionals with a defined scope of practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We work under the direction of a physician. Athletic training has specific CPT codes for billing defined by the AMA. HB 45 has made it through the HIRC in 2021 and not been found to have a negative financial impact. Athletic Trainers should be able to bill a third party payer for for our skilled services delivered to patients under our defined scope of practice under the direction of a physician. As a dually credentialed athletic trainer and physical therapist I see this as a step in the right direction of increasing patient access to care and enhancing professional collaboration. Rose Schmieg DHSc, LAT, ATC, PT Director Division of Athletic Training Shenandoah University

I am writing in opposition to HB45. Athletic Trainers provide valuable services, but Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services do not recognize ATCs as a provider of therapy services, and I worry that the bill would unintentionally expand ATC services to non-athletic/medically complicated patients which could put ATCs in the position of practicing outside their scope.

Good morning, all! My communication today is with regards to support for HB45 (previously HB59 during the 2020 General Assembly) as I am unfortunately unable to attend in person. While I personally support HB45, I am pleased that, after its own review, the HIRC unanimously voted in support as well. Additionally, with the BOI’s review of the measure, and subsequent ruling of no fiscal impact, it is comforting to know that Athletic Trainer’s within the Commonwealth would be able to care for fellow Commonwealth citizens without adding any additional financial burden. It should give you confidence knowing Athletic Trainers are essential healthcare providers licensed by the Department of Health Professions and regulated under the Board of Medicine. Your support would be for constituents who are Master’s degree educated, nationally certified by the Board of Certification and possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and taxonomy code (Taxonomy Code: 2255A2300X - Specialist/Technologist - Athletic Trainer). The scope of practice for an Athletic Trainer is defined by the code of Virginia and, by code, we provide treatment and rehabilitation of such injuries or conditions related to athletic or recreational activity under the direction of the patient's physician or under the direction of any Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dentistry, while using heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, exercise or mechanical or other devices. Within the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code book, Athletic Trainers are recognized healthcare providers with their own subset of procedure codes to legally allowed to bill for services in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) section, essentially identical to those of Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT). A vote of ‘yes’ on HB45 would fall in line with support from the Virginia Orthopaedic Society (VOS) and the fact that Athletic Trainers have appropriate education, state licensure and national certification to be recognized and compensated by third party payors for services legally allowed to perform and bill for. I am appreciative of your service to the Commonwealth and your thoughtful review of HB45. A vote of ‘yes’ on HB45 does not change the scope of athletic training in anyway but simply allows Athletic Trainers the ability to receive appropriate compensation for services legally performed with the Commonwealth. I know I can speak for the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association by saying ‘Thank You’ and we would be grateful for your support of HB45.

Comments Document

Good day Delegates, I am writing in support of HB45 which would amend insurance code language to add "licensed Athletic Trainer", and is a measure carried by Del. Ware. I wished to be in person for this, however my work responsibilities dictate otherwise. Our Lobbyist Becky Bowers Lanier who represents the Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association is present and carries our message well. First off, Del. Ware thank you for sponsoring this bill, it has been a great pleasure working with you since we first introduced this measure in the 2020 General Assembly. You are a true peoples politician and on behalf of myself and the entire Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association, we are grateful for your efforts. Historically HB45 was previously filled as HB59 in the 2020 GA. This measure was referred to the Health Insurance Reform Commission (HIRC) where it was reviewed further. The BOI has noted no fiscal impact and otherwise cleared their checks and balances. The HIRC voted unamosiuly in favor of the measure and is a recommendation of theirs that the measure move forward unabated. As you are aware this bill was carried by a Delegate who was in the minority previously, but mustered bi-partisan support in a majority controlled commission. This measure is a bipartisan bill that should move through the committee in favor. Athletic Trainers are Masters level educated, licensed health care providers within the commonwealth that have a delineated scope of practice as set forth by the code of Virginia. We practice under the direction of physician, hold national provider identifier numbers governed by CMS, and are considered healthcare experts in the field of concussion management. We are recognized providers by the American Medical Association in their Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) handbook, have specific athletic training evaluation code numbers, and are legally allowed to bill for services within the physical medicine and rehabilitation section. At present time, however, receiving reimbursement for services from third party payers has proven difficult or even a non-starter. This code amendment will help align the profession of Athletic Training with other providers whom appear in the current language. Our education supports this measure, our state license supports this measure, our national certification supports this measure, and finally the largest compilation of orthopaedic surgeons in Virginia (The Virginia Orthopaedic Society/ VOS) supports this measure. By voting yes on HB45 you are helping cement the profession of Athletic Training within the commonwealth of Virginia as a valuable healthcare provider. The Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association and myself are grateful for your time and consideration on this measure.

TechNet has concerns that the bill enacts requirements regarding free trails not seen in other states. Will reach out with recommended changes that will align the bills with other states' laws.

I support all these bills because raising the wage now will result in closing businesses (especially small and minority owned) and increase prices for customers. I support being able to opt out permanently of problem calls. Thank you for these bills.

We oppose HB 203. Virginia just started regulating student loan servicers a few months ago. The regulation was necessary to prevent some servicers from taking advantage of the students they are hired to serve. HB 203 will limit the scope of this new law and regulations before we have had a chance to see how it is working. The proposed legislation is attempting to narrow the definition of a “qualified education servicer” most likely to exclude guaranty agencies from regulation. However, the definition of qualified education loan servicer in current Virginia law is taken from the federal definition. Changing our definition now would put Virginia’s law out of sync with federal law. Since 2014, the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau has supervised Guaranty Agencies as student loan servicers. Guaranty agencies are a combination insurance company, loan servicer, and debt collector, as they ensure student loans, advise borrowers about repayment options, and collect debt should a loan ultimately default. Advising borrowers about repayment options is student loan servicing.

Comments Document

Please see the attached written comment in opposition to HB 203, submitted as a PDF.

Thank you for reviewing House Bill NO. 223, which would allow for health benefits for employees of the Chesterfield Education Foundation. Chesterfield Education Foundation (CEF) is a nonprofit organization that supports Chesterfield County Public Schools through various initiatives and programs. For more than 30 years, CEF has provided funding for innovative classroom grants, literacy growth and retention, teacher support, scholarships, equity initiatives, and much more. Providing health benefits to our current employees would allow the foundation to be a supportive partner in their health care. It would also allow us to attract and retain future employees. By supporting this bill, you’re helping our employees who desire to take care of themselves while working tirelessly on behalf of the students and families of Chesterfield County.

VEA is opposed to HB296 and HB320

I support all these bills because raising the wage now will result in closing businesses (especially small and minority owned) and increase prices for customers. I support being able to opt out permanently of problem calls. Thank you for these bills.

Small business is at the breaking points, if they're still alive. Please do not make it harder for them to stay alive as businesses with putting added financial burdens on them. This is especially true for minority businesses. Thank you for your consideration.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce supports HB 309 and thanks the committee for its consideration.

VEA is opposed to HB296 and HB320

I support all these bills because raising the wage now will result in closing businesses (especially small and minority owned) and increase prices for customers. I support being able to opt out permanently of problem calls. Thank you for these bills.

Small business is at the breaking points, if they're still alive. Please do not make it harder for them to stay alive as businesses with putting added financial burdens on them. This is especially true for minority businesses. Thank you for your consideration.

Comments Document

Dear Delegate Wilt: As Buyer for Energy, Utilities, and Environmental Reporting for Costco Wholesale Corporation, I am writing to express Costco's strong support for Delegate Tony Wilt's bill HB 839 in the 2022 Virginia General Assembly Session. In my current capacity, I manage the global energy procurement, utility data, and the calculation of the carbon footprint for Costco, and I evaluate over $S00M in energy costs for the 800+ Costco facilities globally. HB 839 appropriately reflects the interests of Costco and other electricity consumers in Virginia, especially in wanting to see more appropriate regulatory oversight of incumbent electric utilities. HB 839 is a straightforward proposal to restore some measure of the discretion that the State Corporation Commission traditionally and effectively exercised in the area of utility cost recovery. In simple terms, HB 839 would tell the SEC only to approve VCEA projects that actually make sense, and only to allow the incumbent utilities to recover the costs of such projects in a way that makes sense. The only difference from existing law is that the Commission will be empowered to prevent utilities from making uneconomic investments and then earning windfall profits on them. HB 839 would just give the Commission back some reasonable regulatory oversight authority. This would provide improved cost controls and, ultimately, better access to reasonably priced renewable energy, which is something Costco and other energy users in Virginia are certainly going to need. Sincerely, Shay Reed, Buyer for Energy, Utilities, and Environmental Reporting Costco Wholesale Corporation

The price of energy affects the poor and working man much more than it does any rich politician or or entitled class. The idiocy espoused by the Biden administration and the leftist politicians in America is it is not just laughable, it is anti-American and impacts impacts each one of us in a negative way. Stop the spread of communism in our country. Put America First. Let us together make America Great Again.