Public Comments for 01/27/2022 Unknown Committee/Subcommittee
HB126 - Health insurance; proton radiation therapy coverage.
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.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
HB182 - Investor-owned water and water and sewer utilities; ratemaking proceedings, evaluation of utilities.
HB225 - Health insurance; definition of autism spectrum disorder.
hey folks! I am writing to urge you to support Delegate Coyner's HB225. This bill simply updates the definition of "autism spectrum disorder" and the definition of "medically necessary" in the Code of Virginia to reflect changes made in public policy and terminology made over the past ten years. this helps build va better!
This bill is important to be passed. It helps protect individuals like our only child who is on the autism spectrum. Permanent emotional and profession and legal damage has been done, when not protected by the law. I have seen it happen. please support this bill.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
As a mother of three kids with ASD I support this bill.
I am writing to urge you to support Delegate Coyner's HB225. This bill simply updates the definition of "autism spectrum disorder" and the definition of "medically necessary" in the Code of Virginia to reflect changes made in public policy and terminology made over the past ten years.
HB240 - State health plan; insulin discount program, cost sharing for insulin.
Support the creation of the insulin discount program and setting payment for cost of insulin to consumer with diabetes at $30.00.
HB245 - Group health benefit plans; sponsoring associations, formation of benefits consortium.
On behalf of Virginians impacted by multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society respectfully urges the committee to oppose legislation that would increase access to non-comprehensive health plans (HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 932, HB 1169). We stand ready to work with the committee on positive ways to make health coverage more affordable for Virginians.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society respectfully submits written testimony in opposition to HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923 and HB 1169. We are concerned that these bills would provide inadequate coverage for people with blood cancers.
Although the MEWA and AHP proposals being considered by the General Assembly differ in their particulars, they are all intended to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to risk select out of the common risk pools created by the Affordable Care Act. This will inevitably have the effect of increasing the cost of health coverage for older individuals or small groups and for people with pre-existing conditions who are not covered by the AHP or MEWA. Moreover, insofar as the proposals would cover small groups or individuals as large groups, or split up the small group and individual single risk pool, they would violate federal law. All of this is explained further in the attached testimony.
The Northern Virginia Chamber supports HB101, HB245, and HB884 related to benefits consortiums. These bills would allow more small businesses to offer health care benefits, meaning more Virginians would have health insurance coverage. This leads to a healthier and more productive workforce in the Commonwealth. We ask you favorably report these bills. Thank you.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber strongly supports HB 101, HB 245, and HB 884. Benefits consortiums will allow more small businesses to offer health insurance as an employment benefit and will reduce the costs of healthcare coverage for those businesses.
HB263 - Banks; virtual currency custody services.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
HB405 - Business park electric transmission infrastructure pilot program; location of qualifying projects.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber supports HB 405 and thanks the committee for its consideration.
HB421 - Insurance; discrimination based on status as living organ donor prohibited.
Dear Chairwoman Byron, Vice Chair Kilgore, and members of the committee: On behalf of all the people we serve in Virginia, including the 20,215 residents currently living with End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD) we are writing to request that you support HB 421, the Living Donor Protection Act. This important bill would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their status as an organ donor. The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization working on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease, from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. We are also one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, AKF has also received the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for 18 consecutive years, as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar. While most transplanted organs are from deceased donors, patients may also receive organs from living donors. Living donation offers an alternative for individuals awaiting transplantation from a deceased donor and increases the existing organ supply. Over 6,000 living-donor transplants were performed last year in the United States. Kidneys are the most common organ transplanted from living donors, followed by liver and lung. Both living and deceased donation offer hope to nearly 110,000 people waiting for an organ transplant right now—including more than 95,000 who are waiting for a kidney transplant. In addition to transforming the life of the kidney patient, a transplant is a boon to society. The cost of a transplant is lower than long-term kidney dialysis, and it gives the transplant recipient a greater ability to remain in or return to the workforce. Unfortunately, studies have shown that people who donate organs experience discrimination by insurance companies solely based on their status as an organ donor. For example, an NIH study demonstrated that a high proportion of kidney donors had difficulty changing or initiating insurance, particularly life insurance. The study concluded that “[t]hese practices by insurers create unnecessary burdens and stress for those choosing to donate and could negatively impact the likelihood of live kidney donation among those considering donation.” Further, extensive research has demonstrated that people who donate a kidney are likely to live just as long as similarly healthy people who have both kidneys. We believe that providing incentives and removing financial burdens for living donors can lead to an increase in organ donations. For these reasons, we are hopeful for your support for this and any future legislation that could help improve the lives of those fighting kidney disease. Thank you again for your leadership and for your consideration of this important issue. Sincerely, Melanie Lynn Lendnal American Kidney Fund Senior Director, State Policy and Advocacy mlendnal@kidneyfund.org
Please see attached letter.
Support letter attached
Dear Chairwoman Byron and Vice Chairman Kilgore, The National Kidney Foundation respectfully thanks you for your consideration of HB 421. Sixty-five years since the first successful kidney transplant in America, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved through the generosity of living organ donors. Kidney transplantation remains the optimal choice of kidney replacement therapy and in 2021 more than 24,600 Americans received a new kidney. However, 95,000 people are on a kidney waitlist, some of whom will die before receiving a kidney. Expanding living donation is the best opportunity to increase the number of transplants. Living organ donors undergo a thorough examination prior to donating, are healthier than the U.S. population at-large and rarely face long-term health consequences. Despite this, they often experience higher premiums or outright denial of insurance coverage. HB 421 would prohibit discrimination in the pricing or availability of life, disability or long-term care insurance. A 2014 study by Johns Hopkins University showed that a quarter of living donors faced discrimination when they tried to obtain or change their life insurance just because they were organ donors. Additionally, the National Kidney Foundation frequently hears from living donors who experienced premium changes or other restrictions on their insurance policies. Over the past decade, an approximately 1,800 Virginia residents have been living organ donors. Removing barriers is a critical component of expanding organ donation. In addition to providing a better quality of life, a transplant is cost effective for Medicaid and Medicare compared to kidney dialysis. Transplant recipients also are more likely than dialysis patients to remain in or return to the workforce. The National Kidney Foundation respectfully requests your support for HB 421. Sincerely, Michele Anthony & Nancy Castrina Michele Anthony Nancy Castrina Executive Director Executive Director NKF Serving the National Capital Area NKF Serving Virginia
January 26, 2021 Dear Chairwoman Byron and Vice Chairman Kilgore, Good afternoon, thank you for the opportunity to provide comments to the House Commerce and Energy Committee in support of the Living Donor Protection Act, HB421. I’m Manish Agarwal, a resident of Fairfax, Virginia, and I am fortunate to have a sister-in-law, Ena, who was willing to donate her kidney to save my life. I am writing today as a Board Member of the National Kidney Foundation and for living organ donors like Ena. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 30 million Americans, approximately 90% of those with kidney disease don’t even know they have it. Virginia has more than 128,000 Medicare patients with kidney disease, more than 11,000 of them are on dialysis, and 2,135 are waiting for a kidney transplant. In 2020, 664 Virginians received a transplant, but 66 of our neighbors died while on the waitlist. We need to do more to remove barriers to organ donation to help those who want to save another’s life are not penalized or prevented from doing so. Patients, like myself, seeking a transplant talk to their family, friends, colleagues, and even total strangers. I was fortunate my sister-in-law was willing and able to donate. To do so, she had to go through extensive testing that took weeks. Living donors are in better health than your average American. Organ donation is safe to donors, and they go on to live long, healthy and productive lives. However, sometimes donors get hit by “penalties” after donation. In this case, some face discrimination in obtaining insurance, including life, long-term care, and disability insurance. A study by Johns Hopkins University of their donors showed that a quarter of living donors who tried to obtain or change their life insurance faced discrimination because they were organ donors. We should be encouraging living organ donation, not discouraging it. We need to protect donors from future harm. People, like my sister-in-law, who saved another’s life shouldn’t have to worry about being penalized or discriminated against. This bill will not only help protect organ donors and improve the lives of kidney patients receiving donations, but also help save the healthcare system. While we do not have cost data for commercial plans or Medicaid, consider that Medicare saves more than $60,000 per patient per year when a person stops dialysis and receives a transplant. This bill would prohibit discrimination against living organ donors based solely on their status as an organ donor. Virginia has shown itself to be very supportive of organ donation. It has passed into law a tax deduction to assist donors in recouping expenses related to donation. Virginia also offers state employees paid leave. Let’s not stop there. I request you continue this by supporting HB421. Tell potential donors in Virginia that you want to protect them and saving the life of a Virginian shouldn’t cause them to worry about their future. Living organ donors should not be penalized for their altruistic act to help a friend or family member in need. Sincerely, Manish Agarwal Manish Agarwal Vice Chair, Board of Directors National Kidney Foundation CC: Members of the Commerce and Energy Committee
Dear Chairman O’Quinn and members of the subcommittee: On behalf of all the people we serve in Virginia, including the 20,215 residents currently living with End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD) we are writing to request that you support HB 421, the Living Donor Protection Act. This important bill would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their status as an organ donor. The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization working on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease, from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. We are also one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, AKF has also received the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for 18 consecutive years, as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar. While most transplanted organs are from deceased donors, patients may also receive organs from living donors. Living donation offers an alternative for individuals awaiting transplantation from a deceased donor and increases the existing organ supply. Over 6,000 living-donor transplants were performed last year in the United States. Kidneys are the most common organ transplanted from living donors, followed by liver and lung. Both living and deceased donation offer hope to nearly 110,000 people waiting for an organ transplant right now—including more than 95,000 who are waiting for a kidney transplant. In addition to transforming the life of the kidney patient, a transplant is a boon to society. The cost of a transplant is lower than long-term kidney dialysis, and it gives the transplant recipient a greater ability to remain in or return to the workforce. Unfortunately, studies have shown that people who donate organs experience discrimination by insurance companies solely based on their status as an organ donor. For example, an NIH study demonstrated that a high proportion of kidney donors had difficulty changing or initiating insurance, particularly life insurance. The study concluded that “[t]hese practices by insurers create unnecessary burdens and stress for those choosing to donate and could negatively impact the likelihood of live kidney donation among those considering donation.” Further, extensive research has demonstrated that people who donate a kidney are likely to live just as long as similarly healthy people who have both kidneys. We believe that providing incentives and removing financial burdens for living donors can lead to an increase in organ donations. For these reasons, we are hopeful for your support for this and any future legislation that could help improve the lives of those fighting kidney disease. Thank you again for your leadership and for your consideration of this important issue. Sincerely, Melanie Lynn Lendnal American Kidney Fund Senior Director, State Policy and Advocacy mlendnal@kidneyfund.org
Chair O'Quinn and Members of this Committee, My name is Patrick Gee and I am a kidney transplant recipient. Getting a new kidney was truly, and without exaggeration, a life-changing experience. My days used to be spent shuttling back and forth from dialysis appointments and doctor appointments. Now I lead a very full life, serving as a pastor in my church and playing with my wonderful grandchildren. This is a life I would not necessarily be able to lead if I did not get my transplant. Given the effect it has had on my life I feel a deep moral obligation to help others and that is why today I ask you to support HB 421. This legislation is simple and straightforward. If someone if considering making the gift of a kidney, they should not be dissuaded by the fear of losing insurance or not being able to pay for it. The donor faces no problems in their life for donating while the recipient gets a new lease on life. Please join me today in supporting organ donation. Thank you so very much for your time and consideration today. Sincerely, Patrick Gee
Dear Commerce and Energy Committee Members, I write today asking you to support HB 421. If passed, this legislation would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against a living organ donor. They would not be able to charge a donor more or deny them coverage. We should do whatever we can to promote organ donation because it can make a massive difference in someone's life. Unfortunately, my mother never had that opportunity. It has been about 10 years now since my mother passed away from kidney disease. The diagnosis came as a surprise. She was a healthy person and we did not have a family history of it. Since then I have learned that none of that matters. Kidney disease can afflict anyone and you don't even have to have any symptoms until your kidneys no longer function. We tried to get my mother a transplant but unfortunately she never received one. I hate to think that someone could have donated a kidney to her and then been dropped by their insurance company or charged a much higher rate just because they donated. Studies have shown there are no long term side effects from donating a kidney. Our laws should reflect that. And we should do what we can to promote organ donation. Passing HB 421 could go a long way in showing that us Virginians are putting the health of our citizens first.
See attached letter of support.
HB431 - Qualified health plans; state-mandated health benefits.
HB477 - Health insurance; coverage for prostate cancer screening.
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer respectfully submits the attached comments in enthusiastic support of HB 477, a targeted bill to prohibit any insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment for prostate cancer screening specifically for those individuals at highest risk of disease: men age 50 and over and those 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer. HB 477 will increase access to prostate cancer screening and early diagnosis, especially for those men at highest risk of disease, allowing those men to be diagnosed when prostate cancer is most treatable.
The attached letter offers support for HB 477 from: American Association of Clinical Urologists American Urological Association AnCan Foundation CancerCare FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network Medical Society of Northern Virginia Medical Society of Virginia Prostate Cancer Foundation Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) RetireSafe Society of Women in Urology ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer The undersigned organizations represent patient advocacy groups and physicians in the Commonwealth who strongly support HB 477, which would prohibit any insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment for prostate cancer screening. The bill is specifically tailored to apply to individuals who are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer such as persons age 50 and over and persons age 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer.
Thank you Delegate Austin for introducing this important legislation. When diagnosed in its early stages, the survival rate for prostate cancer can be 100%. Co-pays, co-insurance, and co-deductibles can place the cost burden on the patient at 100%. HB477 would remove the cost burden and level out some of the disparities in prostate cancer. Two years ago, my favorite uncle passed from prostate cancer. He didn't go in for testing until it was too late. It was hard to see someone who could do handstand push-ups at 75 go to barely able to turn his head at the end. Missing him every day. Let's do this for everyone's uncle, father, husband, brother, so they can be around for a long time.
I am Dr. Bill Reha, a urologist in Woodbridge VA, submitting this online testimony in Strong Support of HB 477. I am past-president of the Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Urological Society, and currently serve as president-elect of the American Association of Clinical Urologists. Prostate cancer, when diagnosed in its early stage, has a survival rate of almost 100%, when diagnosed late the survival rate plummets to sadly 30%. Many men today are arriving at their urologists’ offices for the very first time with advanced disease due to a lack of life saving screening over the last several years. This is even more true for people who are at high risk for the disease especially African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. People at higher risk are further compromised by the fact that cost-sharing for prostate cancer screening often is a deterrent. By eliminating copays and deductibles for prostate cancer screening, you will be saving lives. You will make sure that screening decisions in our Commonwealth are made between a patient and their doctor without regard to copays and deductibles…as is the case for screening mammograms and colonoscopies. I’d like to thank Delegate Austin for introducing this bill. I would also like to thank Chairperson Byron and the Commerce and Energy Committee for allowing this testimony. Please bring Virginia in line with New York, Maryland, and Rhode Island.... other states that’ve already enacted laws prohibiting cost sharing for prostate cancer screening. Please pass HB 477. Thank You! William C. Reha, M.D., M.B.A. 2296 Opitz Blvd STE 220 Woodbridge, VA 22191-3352
I am writing in support ofHB 477. This bill is essential in providing equitable preventive care for patients. HB 477 will remove monetary barriers to important prostate cancer screenings, which are crucial for early detection. Prostate cancer screenings are vitally important and ought to be considered and covered with similar considerations as mammograms.
My name is Cheryl Nikituk and I’m from Prince William County! My husband died from Prostate Cancer 15 years ago at 55 just 14 months after diagnosis! I am on the Board of Directors at Zero Cancer a Dan advocate for PC awareness and early detection for the last 15 years. Early detection saves lives and it would have saved my husband Paul’s life had he has a PSA test in time to diagnose his cancer early before it became Stage 4 aggressive cancer. By removing barriers for men to getting tested by removing copays and making the PSA test readily available we save lives! Please support HB 477 if you are a man, have a husband, son, father or any man in your life that you love or care about. Thank you for taking a strong stance about Prostate Cancer. As a woman I never miss getting a yearly mammogram that is the diagnostic test that can save my life and is free for me! Let’s give men the same benefit! Thank for your time and your concern. Cheryl Nikituk
I am a prostate cancer survivor. This was made possible through early detection. I feel screening is important and should be made available to all men.
My name is John Glass and I reside in Ruckersville, Greene County, Virginia. In 2003, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer because I was able to receive a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening test at no cost through my health insurance. Had I not gotten the test, or knew nothing about it, I would likely had eventually been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Those end results are scary. Because of early intervention, I was able to follow my cancer progression safely, with the eventual complete removal of my prostate by a Radical Prostatectomy in early 2006. Because of my continued PSA tests following surgery, in 2013 my doctors determined I had a small residual amount of cancer remaining on the floor of my abdomen. Through a process called Salvage Radiation Therapy, I again was able to have the cancer completely removed at an early stage. Today I am cancer free, and I continue to have PSA testing semi-annually to assure I stay that way. I am a huge advocate that all men be able to receive PSA tests, starting at age 45, at no cost. This will greatly reduce the risks of the painful death prostate cancer affects on men. As in my case, early detection saves lives. Because of this, I strongly support the passage of HB 477. Please ensure this important legislation becomes law. Thank you for taking a strong stance about prostate cancer, and for reading my testimony.
I am a retired Professor of Urology at George Washington University who has monitored my own PSA for many years. Four years ago my PSA rose from 1.4 to 2.0. The next year is was up to 2.7. My prostate was "normal" to my urologist. I had no symptoms. But I sought a prostate biopsy anyway. It was positive for cancer. MRI was "normal", as was a bone scan. I was 91 so elected radiation as therapy. PSA has since dropped significantly. A neighbor in his 60s had no PSAs done from 2012, when it was "normal", until 2017 when it was over 70. Bone scan was positive, as was MRI, and biopsy showed Gleason 9. His internist had followed guidelines of his specialty's leaders and of Medicare also. Neighbor died in severe pain in 2019. PSA SAVES LIVES! It saved mine!! PSA is worth it!!
HB480 - Health insurance; coverage for the diagnosis of and treatment for infertility.
Infertility impacts all aspects of life. Since actual infertility treatments are so costly I have tried every other treatment medical treatment to find a cure just leaving me with recurring pregnancy losses and more medical bills that fell under insurance coverage vs if it had just been covered and done right to begin with. However, with cost of fertility treatments it leaves me with limited options to further pursue the correct treatments. Fertility is an extension of health. A healthy body will be able to produce a pregnancy. Infertility means there is an underlying health issue that prevents a successful pregnancy. All other health issues are covered by insurance and currently 18 other states mandate coverage for infertility as well. Infertility treatments should not only be open to those who have the financial means or employers who have insurance packages. As a small employer in this state I am not even able to purchase coverage even if I wanted to.
Infertility is a widespread issue and it is beyond ridiculous that health insurance plans aren’t required to cover basic things like diagnosis and treatment! People are forced to choose between pursuing treatment and going into huge debt vs. not having kids to stay out of debt. A lot of people are unable to afford it at all. This needs to change and insurance policies need to include infertility coverage!
This bill impacts more people than not, 1 in 8 persons has infertility issues. Many insurance agencies do not cover any fertility testing or treatment, leaving some individuals unable to further conceive a family, take out loans and go into debt. It is disturbing that there are no options for individuals who naturally are infertile due to reasons such as: pros, endometriosis, cysts, genetics, etc. Take action now to make this bill come to light, support that silently hurting part of society.
I am FOR the HB480-Helmer bill to help countless individuals grow their families. This bill would change lives and allow dreams to come true, my own included.
Greetings! Thank you for the opportunity to submit written comment on behalf of HB480. My name is Tiffany Jefferson, a constituent from the City of Richmond, Virginia. Today, I am very happy, and excited because I am a few weeks away from the possibility of a life-long dream of mine coming true, the chance to become a mother. This would not be possible without In Vitro Fertilization. As human beings, our lives are often centered around family. We go to school, attend college, start businesses, obtain multiple degrees, begin professional careers and purchase homes, so that we can raise a family. This is true for my husband and I. I, being an employee of Virginia’s Dept. of Social Services, my husband a Pastor, and licensed Virginia Elementary School Educator. We have spent our careers, supporting children and their families. You may or may not be able to imagine the pain we felt, when we were diagnosed with Infertility. Since August 2020, Infertility has stolen our money, our peace, our hope and our joy. IVF has allowed us to take that back. I want to dedicate this writing to my father, who passed away on January 2, 2021. If he had not left my family an inheritance, we would not have been able to afford to pursue IVF because our insurance does not cover it. My father’s death, has given my family, new life. Although this was a blessing to my family, I know that there are many who want and need IVF, and don’t have tens of thousands of dollars lying around. It is not fair, that some states mandate coverage and others do not. It is not fair, that some employers provide coverage, and others do not. It’s not fair, because we are all working and paying for health insurance. Our insurance companies, should provide us the same, equal coverage. We deserve the opportunity to be parents, and a medical diagnosis or disability should not deny us that right. With HB480, We have the chance to build Virginia families, to see Virginia families grow and thrive. Virginia started IVF in the United States. Virginia should join the many states who have made dreams come true through mandated insurance coverage, such as our neighbors, West Virginia and Maryland. Thank you, Delegate Helmer, Delegate Kilgore and Resolve, for all that you are doing for Virginia families. Virginia is for lovers, and the lovers want to grow their families! Thank you!
I am FOR the HB480-Helmer bill
It would really help the couples who are struggling to conceive.
Help people who are trying to conceive!
It’s imperative to pass this bill. As struggling with fertility issue for many years I know the pain. The emotions and financial struggle is unfathomable. At times is reaches high level of depression. Couples making decent pay still cannot afford the treatments such as myself and my husband. We have to choose between having a roof over our heads or creating a family or better yet breaking our daughter heart (born via iui) as she wants a sibling. This is sickening.
We need infertility coverage in Virginia like other states have. It's not anyone fault that infertility is considered a disabilitiy by the disability act.
Diagnostic and treatment for Infertility, like any other medical condition, should be cover by all medical insurances. Clinicians should be trained and ask to maintain High standards in treatment and ethics. Psychology therapy should be included (and covered by insurance) as essential part of infertility treatment. Annual gynecological screening should includes orientation about fertility preservation and family planning. Physical and psychological treatment should be accessible to everyone. Dealing with infertility is physically and emotionally hard enough. Having to deal with the financial struggles and the ineptitude of some clinicians and or clinics is unnecessary.
I support the comprehensive infertility bill. I am a fairfax county resident going through infertility due to male factor infertility. The research shows that Infertility and IVF is on the rise in this country in the last fifty years and has evolved into a full public health crisis. I am a public servant and lawyer but I cannot afford to undergo IVF nor have any fertility coverage, and have considered moving jobs and selling my Virginia home and moving to Maryland just for the insurance coverage. I have also considered alternatively trying to work at Starbucks part time just for their infertility coverage. Most that go through IVF must go through multiple rounds, and even IVF insurance coverage usually has a lifetime limit. Many times just one round meets that lifetime limit, and most people even with IVF coverage still have to pay a considerable share especially for more than one round. But the difference between some coverage and no coverage is the difference between starting IVF or losing a year, like I have done, just trying to figure out how I can afford IVF. And this loss of a year due to finances is extremely detrimental to someone with a narrowed timeline of infertility and ovarian reserve. For Virginia to remain a leader in progress and quality of life for its state residents, and a competitor with Maryland, it’s imperative that this bill pass. I hope to have my children in Virginia and raise them here in my Virginia house and in the Virginia public schools and engaging in the Virginia economy, but Virginia’s lack of infertility coverage is the single factor for me to move to Maryland. Thank you.
We have been struggling with infertility for several years and are now $50k into IVF, IUI, and various other infertility treatments with no success. I urge Virginia to require insurance to at least partially cover infertility treatments.
Abortion and Infertility: Why are we only talking about one of them, when both of them have an immense impact of the ECONOMIC and SOCIAL health of our community? Our society is vehemently divided on women's reproductive rights. The economic reality is that limiting abortion access forces women to give birth to babies they cannot financially support. That puts a drain on state resources. In addition, there are a growing number of women who have RESPONSIBLY waited for the right financial and marital circumstances to conceive a child. Unfortunately, women's reproductive anatomy has not evolved to keep pace with the societal and economic changes over the past 50 years, and the cost of infertility treatments makes parenthood inaccessible for otherwise excellent parental candidates. In order to secure a future population of well-adjusted, healthy, confident and competent adults, we must invest our energies and economics in the healthcare of motivated and engaged parents. The best way to do this is to make infertility treatments accessible and mandatory through insurance carriers (and provide free/accessible birth control to women who are not financially/romantically ready to become parents). The best investment we can make is in Virginians who are mentally and emotionally positioned to become excellent parents to the next generation. Let's take a look at our potential legacy: In 20 years, a generation of children who were products of prepared and engaged parenting will be responsible for higher educational success, and therefore a subsequent increase in teacher retention. (I am an educator myself, formerly in the public school system, and I would never advise a young person to pursue a career path in education unless they were seeking poverty, martyrdom, and chronic mental health issues). If the next generation of children are raised by proactive and engaged parents, then THE STATE WILL CONSERVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES that are currently needed to desperately patch the holes in our sinking ships of education, mental health, crime, poverty, drug abuse, and homelessness. The only other way to encourage women to avoid abortion AND support the next generation is to provide full-time state-sponsored salaries for stay at home parents. Perhaps mandating that insurance companies cover a specific women's health issue would be more of a win-win for the state and its treasury. While the healthcare industry is surely lobbying against a mandate, their bottom line would also be positively affected in the long term. Tested embryos+loving parents=healthy babies. Healthy babies=healthy people. Healthy people=lower medical costs. Lower medical costs=more profit for insurance companies. State legislators are the heroes. Everyone wins.
I support this bill and believe financial help for those with infertility is very important and needed
Hello, Thank you for listening to us in regards to HB 480. I am hoping you will support family today. If for anything, a simple chance. You see, my husband and I both have an infertility diagnosis, one that lasted nearly a decade. Over that 10 year span, it impacted our health- both mental and physical, our relationships, and devastated our financial security due to the out-of-pocket costs we incurred. I had the beginning stages of uterine cancer which closed the door on my ability to carry a natural pregnancy. We also tried to adopt which was also cost-prohibitive and had multiple placements fail. IVF (in Vitro-fertilization), and surrogacy were our options for the chance of parenthood. We were the lucky ones though. Here's the thing, my privilege is not lost on me. While it wrecked us financially, somehow we made it happen. We had the ability for chance to happen. That's not the case for most here in Virginia whose dream for a family will never be realized without insurance coverage. That chance is #HB480. I ask that you give a family a chance here in Virginia. Many states have already prioritized family and reproductive health care by including comprehensive coverage for fertility treatment and family building options. 40 years later after the birth of Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the US, we, here in Virginia, need to catch up. We need to honor the pioneers that have helped provide a chance of family here in our home state with this necessary medical treatment. Without #IVF, reproductive health care, and our gestational carriers, I would have never heard the words "mom". Warmly, Candace - Chesapeake
I would like to provide a testimony regarding how pursuing a family was crippling emotionally, physically, and of greatest relevance here, financially. We were fortunate enough to at least be able to undergo several rounds of IVF although it cost us our entire savings, maxed out our credit cards, and dramatically changed our lifestyle to accommodate the huge coats that were nearly entirely out of pocket. Cost is an impediment for so many families who are pursing family building through IVF simply because they have no other choice. Insurance coverage would dramatically improve the chances for families to pursue IVF treatment which will additionally advance the state of the art and improve Virginia's position in this field.
Thank you for reading my testimony. I am passionate about this cause because fertility treatments was the only way to complete our family. After our first child was born 7 weeks premature with no known cause, my husband and I decided to make sure that I was healthy for a 2nd child. When we decided we were ready for a 2nd child, when our daughter was 2 years old, I went to a physical with my primary doctor and at that appointment she found a lump in my breast. 12 days later I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. After I was diagnosed that July, I had a bilateral mastectomy in September and in October I began the process to freeze my eggs before I started chemo and radiation. At my first fertility appointment I was told that my insurance EXCLUDED coverage for fertility treatments. We have really good health insurance, which covered my cancer surgeries, medications, and any testing 100% (except for $30 copays) so I was shocked that fertility was not covered. We were lucky to be given a discount through a cancer charity organization and family that could help us pay for the enormous out of pocket cost. Four years later, we finally embarked on a journey to have our 2nd child. In order to have a biological child we had to use a gestational carrier. The cost was astronomical because the entire IVF fee was out of pocket. $24,000. We knew it would be expensive but for insurance to cover ZERO dollars of any of our medical procedures is absurd. In contrast, my medical insurance pays for my medication every month at my oncologist that cost $4000. Chemo cost $15,000 per cycle. I cannot imagine a life without my children. I’ve been fighting everyday for the last 9 years to stay alive to enjoy a life with them. Insurance shouldn’t be able to prohibit families from building the family of their dreams.
Good Afternoon Chairman Webert and members of the subcommittee--Thank you for considering a PRO-FAMILY BILL. I wanted to submit my comments in case I couldn't make the meeting. One of the honors of my life was to serve as Chief of Staff to Democratic Leader Filler-Corn and work with nearly all of you on passing bipartisan legislation that made Virginia a better place. But I wouldn't have had that opportunity had my parents not underwent infertility treatments and more specifically, IVF. I exist because of IVF, not in spite of it. When you adjust the cost of treatments my parents paid for in the 1980s, it's around $65K. That is higher than the current average household income in places like Powhatan, Hampton, Bedford, Westmoreland, Richmond, Salem and Pittsylvania. And if you compare it to individual income--the number includes places like Fauquier, Culpeper, Loudoun, Roanoke and Henrico. But this bill isn't just about dollars and sense. The fact is, across Virginia, our birth rate is dropping. You all should have received an email from me noting Of all the members on this committee, only one, Del. Ware represents localities that had a birth rate increase in recent years. Delegates where only one locality in their district had a positive birth rate include: Delegates Adams, Gooditis, Ransone, and Webert. Delegates whose district had zero localities with a positive birth rate are Delegates Bagby, Gooditis, Head, McNamara, Sullivan, and Ward. Why does this matter? It matters because if it continues, then we as a Commonwealth and by extension a country, face a strain on entitlements and pensions. We already had to reform VRS because of the strain on its resources. I am grateful that your colleagues on both sides of the aisle have recognized the urgency here and have signed on to co-patron this bill. It's also good for business, and therefore in-line with Governor Youngkin's pro-family agenda. (As an aside, I'm an alum of the same high school as our Gov and in my graduating year, 2007, there were 4 other IVF babies who have all gone on to live successful lives). But the fact is, there are examples of people leaving states without insurance coverage for infertility. It is completely easy for Virginians to head west to West Virginia and north to Maryland for this type of coverage. They can even head to legendary pro-business, pro-family states like Texas and Utah. We already have a crisis where Virginians are leaving for other reasons. Being able to start a family shouldn't be one of them. I was disturbed by another comment on here from an out-of-state person against the bill, that I want to address. The terminology that this person describes the process of IVF is frankly insulting. Her comments to me, argue that I and people like me are not worthy of life and for that matter not worthy of God's love. We are not abominations. We are human beings. We have the same divine spark that God endows everyone else with. I am here because of my parents love, even if my journey was a tad different than others. My existence is due to a miracle of science. I urge you not to get caught up in the rhetoric that this person espouses either on the written comments or before the committee. In closing, this bill has been part of a 30 year push. And I attach a photo of me as a child with my parents lobbying Gov. Wilder as proof of that. I hope it will be the will of the subcommittee to report favorably on this bill.
No one thinks they will have fertility issues. And no one talks about it. And when you're determined to have fertility issues, the shock isn't just what you have do. The shock comes from the bills and how it's not covered. This isn't a choice or something superficial for looks like cosmetic surgery. This is about creating life that so many say they are pro life. How can we be pro life only when it comes to abortion but not when it comes to fertility treatments? Maryland has this coverage for their residents, why don't we. We pay more taxes to improve our surroundings, let's provide fertility coverage to our residents to have the joy of having children. The thousands spent without guarantee is insane. In VA on average it's $20,000 per round without medications. Medications can be $4,000 and more per cycle. IUI covered at 50% on some plans, but that's about $3,000. Medications are another $1,000 per cycle. So you see, it's very costly for a very common problem today. If you need donor eggs, it's an additional $25,000. Again, there is no guarantee with all these expenses. Please consider require coverage for a medical disability. It's my understanding Viagra is covered for men under our insurance, but not fertility. That seems like a huge disconnect. I don't have an issue with men being covered for Viagra but I do have issue when that seems a priority over fertility. If fertility were covered, people wouldn't have to travel for more economical treatments out of the country and out of state. There would be less stress on an issue that is already very stressful. We are already paying for insurance coverage, why not make it cover these medical needs. Please consider including Reproductive assistance to our requirements for insurance coverage. It is a recognized disability that we can not control but there are treatments. Please help us!
I am a resident of Herndon, Virginia and also the President and CEO of a national non-profit patient advocacy organization called RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association which is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. We provide support, patient education, public awareness, and advocacy for the disease of infertility, and help all those who struggle to build their family. Our organization works across the U.S. and with Congress to expand access to life-affirming medical treatment so that people can build their family. I urge the Committee to vote favorably for HB 480 so that this bill can move through the legislative process. Virginians deserve the same right to build their family as those in Maryland do; Maryland has required employers to provide insurance coverage for medical treatments such as IVF for more than 20 years. It's time for Virginia to help build Virginia families! Thank you.
HB480 - I am in full support of health insurance providing coverage for all aspects of infertility diagnosis and treatment. As a Virginia resident whose insurance coverage is through my husband's job with the Commonwealth, I was very surprised to learn how insufficient the options were when we began our infertility journey in 2012. Next to nothing was covered and our out-of-pocket expenses to have 2 children was nearly $75,000. We were among the fortunate who were able to find the money to cover these costs. But the bills were staggering. Insurance assistance would have been greatly appreciated. I was disappointed that Virginia did not have similar requirements as Maryland around insurance coverage for infertility. We actually considered moving to help defray the costs. When you want to start or expand a family, it is discouraging enough to learn that you need major medical assistance to do so. The journey is so emotionally and physically draining. And, to anyone who says that adoption is a reasonable alternative, I'd say no--it is not. It is just as costly and time consuming. With no guarantees that you will end up becoming a parent. Fertility treatments are not a guarantee either, but people should be afforded the opportunity to try with their own genetic material without breaking the bank to do so. Despite the challenges, ultimately being able to carry and give birth to my son was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am grateful that medical research and science afforded us that opportunity. I'd love to see this option available to all insured Virginians who are diagnosed with infertility and require medical intervention to start and grow their families.
This bill should be passed. There’s so many who need help having children and every process to go about getting help (adopting, IVF, and such) are so expensive and being able to have insurance that will cover some of the cost of infertility treatment would be a great burden lifted off some families
This legislation is critical to supporting the many of us across the commonwealth who struggle with fertility!
My wife and I, and so many others would benefit from this type of coverage.
Pass the bill to help pay for invtro fertilization
Infertility is not by choice it’s a disease that prevents you from making family. The worst part is that it takes time to diagnosed and start treatment. So this disease should be covered under insurance. I went through infertility and took me a couple years to have a baby. I started treatment on 2017 I stopped treatment in between coz of financial struggle. Then continued on 2020 and I got my baby on 2021. I could have my child earlier if infertility was covered under insurance. Hope this will be resolved. Thank you
Dear Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for taking the time to review comments on this bill. I will keep my remarks brief and get straight to the point. A version of this bill has been on the docket for at least the past three legislative sessions (if not longer) and Virginians shouldn't have to wait any longer to build their families. We need state support for health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and for fertility preservation procedures. Infertility affects one in eight couples or individuals nationwide, and yet most are forced to pay completely out of pocket for these expenses. If you are lucky enough to have an employer who provides any coverage for these expenses, they are often limited benefits with very specific restrictions. On October 16, 2019 (at age 30), I was given a cancer and infertility diagnosis on the same day. Because the only potentially curative treatment for my rare cancer was a hysterectomy, we knew we would be looking to IVF to create embryos for a gestational carrier to hopefully carry in the future. My insurance company covered everything related to my diagnosis - scans, lab work, hospital stay, physician's bills. But when it came time to address the infertility diagnosis, a direct iatrogenic effect of my cancer, they were nowhere to be found. My husband and I have paid close to $25,000 for two rounds of IVF out of pocket, just for a chance to grow our family. If I'd had breast cancer and required a mastectomy, the Women's Health and Cancer Rights 1998 Act of would have required my insurance company to cover a reconstructive surgery. I think it's well past time to consider similar laws that all more inclusive for all other avenues that may lead to an infertility diagnosis. Family building in Virginia depends on it. Thank you for your time, Maggie Walsh
I know several couples that struggle with infertility and the fact that insurance companies don’t provide them any support is disheartening. Many couples want a family so badly but the financial burden that infertility brings is too great and they are unable to proceed. Having assistance would be a huge burden lifted. If they had this support it would be extremely comforting and they would know they are not alone in this fight for a family.
As a child, when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was always a teacher and a mom. I knew that my purpose in life was to wrap my love around my students and my own child. Though my purpose was always clear, only part of that purpose has been fulfilled, becoming a teacher. My dreams of being a mother, is the part of my life I still long for daily. When I met my husband we knew that we wanted to start a family, and one year after we were married we decided to begin that journey. We never fathomed that the excitement and joy we felt as we envisioned our future family, would turn into fear, grief, disbelief, frustration, and sadness. After trying to conceive for a year, I began to have concerning symptoms and sought the medical advice of my gynecologist. We were then referred to a fertility specialist. At this point our diagnosis came with frustration, but we still had hope. After going through many rounds of tests and lab results, our diagnosis was presented to us in two parts. It was confirmed that both my husband and I were contributing to our inability to conceive. Fortunately, my part of the diagnosis, a uterine fibroid, was operable and was removed, thus resolving one part our diagnosis. Unfortunately, our doctors informed us that part two of our diagnosis was not an easy fix. Although my side of our infertility had a solution, my husband's side of our infertility did not. Two different specialist confirmed that my husband has unexplained male factor infertility. As we received this news not once, but twice, our hope was not gone, because doctors told us that we are still able to have a family, but we only have one option to make that work, IVF. We know that becoming parents is still possible for us, yet we have only one way to get there. This is the part of our journey where we have lived for six long years. Stuck, knowing we have a solution, but having an immense obstacle standing in our way. We have a diagnosis, we know the procedure that we need in order to have a family, and yet we can’t move forward due to the financial burden of IVF. With most diseases, once you have a diagnosis, your doctor puts together a plan for treatment, then your insurance covers the treatment and your journey continues. Yet, here we wait on the last part of that process, insurance. For six years, every month we wait for our miracle, and we will continue to wait. We can’t afford to pay for IVF out of pocket, and as you are aware, insurance companies in the state of Virginia do not have to offer coverage for fertility services. Although we have a medical diagnosis, treatment plan, and known medical intervention that could help our family, we wait. I’m writing to ask that you please make it a law for fertility insurance to be required in the state of Virginia. Help us to bring home our little miracle to make our family complete. We have not lost hope, and I have faith that our little bundle of joy that will have his/her dad's eyes, our love of sports, our height, my curly hair, our positive spirit, and our faith, will soon be in our arms. This dream can become our reality with HB 480.
I’m in support of this bill allowing insurance companies to help take the burden of the cost of IV treatments for infertile couples. Virginia needs to up their game and help these families out. I support this 100 percent!
My chance to have children naturally was robbed from me due to a disease that damaged my Fallopian tubes; and therefore, required surgery to fully remove both of my tubes in early 2017 after many years of trying to conceive with no success. Following this surgery, my only chance to conceive relied upon in vitro fertilization (IVF). I have worked hard to achieve my goals my entire life, with a bachelor’s degree, a very successful career, wonderful marriage and home, yet the one thing I desire most - I cannot achieve. After almost $40,000.00 spent out of pocket, several rounds of IVF and failed transfers, my husband and I are still longing for a child to complete our family. Having infertility coverage through my employer would be life changing and could potentially provide for additional rounds of IVF required for us to build our family. Without it - we simply cannot afford to continue covering the costs for these procedures out of pocket. This is a vital topic that has gone unaddressed and of low importance for far too long at the state and federal policy levels. It’s time this be addressed and coverage be mandatory for those struggling and longing to create a family.
Infertility impacts millions of Americans each year. Infertility treatment is healthcare, and health plans should be required to cover it in our state.
My husband and I will begin discussing fertility treatment this year and the cost is terrifying. We need more coverage for families who want to have children.
Infertility is the hardest struggle I’ve ever experienced. Having a financial burden on such an emotional process is unfair. Please consider passing this bill so that everyone has a fair chance at having children.
Please support HB480. Infertility is a club that no one ever wants to be a member. Many individuals and couples on this journey have a strong desire to build a family and strengthen their community, but it is an expensive and taxing journey. Offering coverage for fertility services, would help preserve the option for future families for those undergoing medical treatments so that they can focus on their personal health. By including coverage for the diagnosis of and treatment for infertility, it would remove one additional stressor for anyone on this journey. Other states that include coverage for fertility services, recognize the value of family building and the desire for couples and individuals to grow their families and benefit their communities. As a Virginia resident and cancer survivor, I hope that Virginia lives out our values and joins other states that offer coverage for the diagnosis of and treatment for infertility and standard fertility preservation services.
It is necessary that those wanting diagnosis and treatment for infertility issues should receive coverage.
Virginian women need some coverage to help with infertility!
I support this bill for my daughter and son in law that are going through fertility treatments.
We are currently facing infertility. My husband and I are public servants (fire fighter and educator). We want nothing more than to grow our family but the out of pocket cost for fertility treatments is crippling. Having coverage would be life changing for us and so many others.
Hi. I’m Lillian “Lilly” Lille, and I’ve been battling infertility for almost 5 years now. My husband and I are both teachers, and we have zero insurance coverage when it comes to infertility diagnosis or treatment. Over the past several years we have spent tens of thousands of dollars ($65k+) on infertility diagnosis, treatments, and pregnancy loss. I have done 3 egg retrieval cycles, and I’m currently preparing for my second embryo transfer. We are so hopeful that this transfer could be the one that helps us have a child. I have finally been diagnosed with recurrent pregnancy loss, tubal factor infertility, and endometriosis. My diagnostic testing alone was over $10,000. During this journey to grow our family, we’ve had to take unwanted breaks to financially recover from these costs. We’ve had to take out credit cards to finance costly IVF cycles. Cycles that cost almost $20,000, plus $5500 in medications, and a few more thousand in lab fees. It shouldn’t have to be this way. People shouldn’t have to go through numerous losses (6 for me personally) because care is too expensive. People should have to wait several years between IVF cycles because they cannot afford it. Everyone deserves the chance to grow their family, and insurance coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility can help make that dream come true.
Having the possibility to have a child would be an absolute dream. My husband and I can not afford to build the family that we’ve always wanted because the costs to finance this dream of parenthood is unreal. Please consider passing this bill because it would literally change so many peoples lives for the better.
Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that affects many people hoping to start a family. At its root, it is a health condition and should be treated as such, and covered by insurance. Fertility specialists charge high fees for testing and treatment, without any guarantee of results. That leaves many families like mine relying on our life savings or going into debt just for a glimmer of a chance at having a child. We lost over $50,000 dollars on fertility treatments and adoption fees, all without results. The right to become parents should not just be for the wealthy. Insurance coverage of infertility testing and treatment would go a long way towards helping families realize their dreams.
I strongly support this effort and hope that it passes. My husband and I both have health insurance, but have paid over $41,000 out of pocket in a single year to try and have a child. We both work for the public sector (federal government & teacher) and with our dual income it was a massive unexpected drain on our savings. When we purchased our home, I was pregnant naturally and the funds were earmarked to renovate the kitchen and master bathroom. We had no idea that those funds would need to be used elsewhere after multiple unsuccessful pregnancies. The money we have spent on infertility treatments could have gone back into our local economy and yet, it goes to an insurance company that does not support our state or contribute to our success. Infertility treatment coverage helps not only families, but also local businesses and the Virginia economy by keeping the funds earned by Virginians in Virginia. Infertility is a medical diagnosis, and as such, insurance should cover the treatment of the diagnosis as well as the medication to address the medical condition. There is no reason for the Virginia government to protect out of state insurance companies (which are largely owned by stockholders and external investors, also likely out of state) over Virginia (tax paying) citizens.
I believe that the full reproductive rights of my body should always be considered medical needs and therefore covered by insurance policies. To include fertility and infertility needs, menstruation supplies and support, abortion needs and sexual education resources.
Hello, I support infertility treatment being covered by our health insurance because I believe it’s a human right. Infertility affects both women and men and should be covered as it is considered a medical diagnosis. Those who suffer from infertility should not be further burdened by the insane costs of trying to conceive a child. Thank you for opening up a forum for us to speak our minds.
In July 2022 I received a diagnosis of infertility. Obviously this shattered our expectations of being able to start a family. Just as importantly the diagnosis meant going to Charlottesville for diagnosis and treatment, which included very expensive tests, to determine if we could establish a root cause and what my future treatments would need to be. Infertility isn’t just about having children, it also means dealing with and treating the root causes. In my cause, left untreated I would be at a higher risk for health complications and early death. Being insured would take a huge financial burden off my shoulders and would mean I don’t have to worry about affordability. And yes, if we choose to try for a child, that we could afford that cost as well.
I am FOR this bill. Women trying to get pregnant who have a medical diagnosis as to why they cannot conceive, or have difficulty conceiving, should get treatment under their medical insurance.
Hi, I am Asha Sekar Gunasekaran residing in Glen Allen,VA. I would like to throw light on all the couples who undergo infertility struggles with their dream to become a family or complete their family has been crushed for years with no insurance coverage with infertility benefits mandated as per state policy. We need our leaders to address this ongoing infertility struggle for women & be supportive by providing all the financial aids they need to complete their family without reasoning. Our state insurance policy for the same has to be mandated with unlimited infertility benefits for all those who seek extra help in this nevere nding emotional and physical struggle which strains the relationship and life of couples worrying about financial needs to fullfill their family dream. Kindly we all the women of Virginia state request our leaders to please pass this bill and make all our family dream come true for those who suffer. Thank you.
My infertility is a medical diagnosis! Please vote to treat it as such. The procedures, medication and doctor appointments are robbing me blind. I need my medical insurance to help me cover the expenses.
Simply stated, coverage for fertility services needs to be included within health insurance offered by employers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Personally, I am 34 year old woman who has been going through infertility treatment for almost 2 years. My husband and I have no known reason for infertility and have been diagnosed with unknown infertility. Both of us have individual health plans, but neither provide fertility coverage so we have spent over $50,000.00 on diagnostic tests, procedures, and medications. We have had to finance all of this treatment due to the exuberant cost of uncovered fertility treatment. There is no reason why Virginians like me should have to do this. Currently there are millions of people of reproductive age experiencing infertility, and estimates suggest that 48 million couples and 186 million individuals live with infertility globally (World Health Organization, 2020). Every human being has a right to found a family, and with Virginia mandating health coverage they are providing that opportunity to Virginians who have been suffering. In the United States, many states have realized this and have instituted changes to ensure those that are faced with fertility struggles are guaranteed care. It is important to remember that the Infertility is categorized as a disease and therefore health coverage should be mandated just like any other disease is treated with health insurance. Additionally, the World Health Organization announced that infertility generates disability, and therefore access to healthcare falls under the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in Bragdon v Abbott (1998), the Supreme Court of the United States decision included infertility couples under the protection given by the American Disabilities Act. This being said, I beg of you to please pass HB480, so I and others can continue to have hope that one day we can found a family of our own without being faced with the financial hardship. We are already paying each month for health insurance, by just adding a couple of dollars each month, we as Virginians could be giving hope to all.
Delegates, I am a resident of Virginia and I'm writing in support of the passing of the infertility insurance bill HB-480. As someone who has been impacted by infertility, and knows many other Virginian families similarly impacted, I urge you to please mandate that infertility diagnosis and treatment be covered by insurance in the state of Virginia. After many years of trying to have a child, my husband and I learned about two years ago that our options for getting pregnant naturally were non-existent. Both my husband and I are impacted by medical conditions that made fertility testing and treatment needed if we wanted to have our own biological child (and hopefully someday, multiple children). Thankfully, we have access to insurance through our full-time jobs, but to our dismay, we learned that our insurance does not cover the cost of the fertility treatments we need, specifically in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and medication. We are responsible, hard-working citizens of Virginia. We vote in all elections; we pay our taxes; we've been saving money to purchase a house in Virginia; and we hope to raise our family here. Yet, through no fault of our own, we are now forced to make the heartbreaking decision of whether we should use all of our savings to help pay for the treatment we need, or to ultimately forgo having our own child. Most heartbreaking for me has been researching of all of the ways other infertile moms and dads-to-be try to cover these costs, in the hopes of being able to afford this treatment. I've seen friends and acquaintances getting second jobs at companies that offer fertility benefits (on top of needing invasive and painful medical procedures), taking out loans, or being put in the uncomfortable position to ask friends and family for financial help. Other states have mandates that IVF must be included in health insurance policies, but not in Virginia. The irony is not lost on me that I could move 10 minutes away to Maryland and be covered for this treatment there, but Virginia is my home and I would only leave if there were no other options for my family. I wish I could begin to explain the devastation that comes from learning that there is a readily available treatment that would allow me to have the child I so desperately want to bring into this world, but because of lack of insurance coverage, I will lose the financial stability and other dreams I've been working toward for years. With a simple change to Virginia's insurance mandates, I and the thousands of people like me, would have such a huge weight lifted off of our shoulders. Economically-speaking, I could use the estimated $30,000-$50,000 for this treatment and reinvest it in my community, or use it to bolster my family's financial stability. From a personal standpoint, this bill passing would be completely life-changing. Thank you for your time and consideration.
In favor of hb480** I always thought I would be a mom- I picked out names, married a man who wanted the same and bought a big house to fill with a family- unfortunately I am one of the many many woman who have fertility issues due to endometriosis. My husband and I both work full time jobs and getting any type of fertility assistance would still put a significant impact on our finances, perhaps detrimental. I pay a lot of money for insurance and taxes and put in volunteer hours with my community and it’s just sad that something like finances could be what stops me from having a family. I hope you consider this when passing this bill because something like this could be truly life changing and at the very very least make going through all of this an easier, less mentally exhausting experience. The taboos on woman’s health and fertility are unacceptable in today’s age and no family should have to put themselves into whirling financial debt to have the special title of mom or dad.
Infertility is very much a medical condition. Procreating is good for the economy in general, and should not be cost-prohibitive for a family to pursue their dreams of having children. Infertility also has psychologically damaging effects on both men and women. Insurance carriers should by all means cover this condition.
Having worked in healthcare for 10+ years I find it absurd that I dedicate as much time as I do helping others with very little help myself. I struggle with infertility and fortunately was able to conceive without IVF, but still had to pay a lot of money out of pocket to conceive my child. IVF should absolutely be more affordable and attainable in this state. Growing a family shouldn’t be a “privilege,” it should be considered healthcare. These are medical conditions that result in infertility.
I applaud the authors of this bill. My husband and I never thought we would face infertility. We always assumed a family would be waiting for us when we were ready. And yet, here we are, on in our early 30s, and recently told that we would not be able to have children without fertility treatments. Despite spending thousands per year on our health insurance, it does not cover a dime of these treatments. The only clinic in our area charges about $2,000 for IUI and about $22,000 for IVF. That does not include the cost of medications, which can be between $5,000 and $7,000 per cycle. Because of this, we now have to decide if we want to spend our life savings on a chance at parenthood. This bill does not have to be partisan. Unused embryos can be donated to hopeful parents in need. Regardless of where you stand politically, IVF is here to stay, and it is not fair to only let the wealthy have access to fertility treatments. Please pass this bill so my family and others can grow.
Please consider infertility coverage fir the state of Virginia. Infertility is an excluded service for many individuals who are insured in the state of Virginia. This benefit was carved out of the policy for city employees in my locality of va beach. My Husband an I have incurred over 40000 in expenses for testing and one round of IVF. I know several other families who are struggling with the financial aspects of a medical procedure that can be covered under insurance. Please consider Infertility coverage for Virginia. Geondra M Boreland
In 2005, my husband and I found out the only way to have a chance to become parents was through IVF. My husband worked for the Federal Gov't at the time and there were very limited insurance options for us. In fact, one of the options we had didn't cover us until I had suffered through THREE pregnancy losses. I could not physically get pregnant through intercourse with my husband only medical intervention. We spent $23,000 out of pocket on medical procedures. This was at time when our combined annual income was less than $100,000. So 1/5 of that was spent on starting a family. This expense put us behind financially for nearly a decade. We were very fortunate that we only needed one round of IVF to achieve the pregnancy that is now our 14 year old. But most people don't have success until the 2nd or 3rd try. We definitely did not have $40,000 more at our disposal. Facing infertility shouldn't be about the "haves and have nots". Everyone facing challenges in building a family should be able to access insurance coverage for that life altering medical treatment. Insurance coverage is about health equity. Please support HB 480.
My name is Jackie and I am a teacher here in Virginia, and I just turned 30 years old in December. In attempting to start our family last year, in 2021, I experienced 3 miscarriages in a row. It was beyond devastating, damaging, and traumatic. But what is worse is the fact that we have spent over $15,000 in one year looking for answers and treatment due to the lack of fertility treatment coverage in this state. My husband works for the federal government, and I am a teacher in Northern Virginia. You would THINK that we would have decent enough insurance to get the help we need to start a family. But sadly, due to the lack of fertility treatment in this state, we do not have coverage for any treatment. So what do we do? We have been saving money, budgeting, working second and third jobs, to hopefully just start a family? Take out a loan for $30,000 and go in to debt, just to hopefully start a family? Spend close to $40,000 on adoption, just to hopefully start a family?! All this time, I see other women in other states finding answers through basic fertility treatments that are covered by insurance in their states, like Maryland for example. Since 2021, I have witnessed friends of mine have their miracle babies in other states with the help of fertility treatment, while I lived in Virginia and just kept miscarrying without any treatment. But that's it, I just get to WATCH them succeed. I don't have the opportunity to have my OWN rainbow miracle baby. I don't have the insurance coverage they have. It is out of reach for us. Infertility is a DISEASE! Medical experts are telling women, like me, that they either can not physically get pregnant (blocked tubes, polyps, endo, or whatever reason) or that they can not carry to term (dangerous for health, immune issues, complications) and these poor women have no support. If a male was told that he had a spinal issue and needed a back brace, you know insurance would cover the back brace! Insurance would HELP them with their DISEASE or PROBLEM. Why are we not helping these women?! Why are we not helping them OVERCOME their disease? Why is Virginia SO far behind infertility treatment coverage compared to other states? Why, in the state where IVF was pioneered, are we so reluctant to include it as standard care for infertility issues? Infertility is a disabling medical condition, and it can significantly reduce quality of life. If we have the capability to treat this medical condition effectively, don’t we have a duty to do so, and do so in a way that is accessible to those who need it? If we truly want to live in a society where men and women are equal, we need to build a system in which women do not need to make this choice. Coverage of infertility treatment is a show of support in this endeavor.
I am commenting on the bill mandating fertility coverage in Virginia. I can speak from personal experience of the tremendous financial burden incurred when insurance does not cover treatments for infertility. To date, my husband and I have spent about $5,000 on four rounds of IUI (intrauterine insemination), and we have just begun IVF (in vitro fertilization), which is costing us over $30,000. We are in our mid-thirties, and this is basically our entire life savings. Neither of our insurance will cover a penny of infertility treatment. The irony of being unable to receive assistance for conceiving a child is not lost on me and my husband. We are lifetime educators—both of us classroom teachers for 10 years. My husband now works in administration for Henrico County Schools, and I work for VCU in online curriculum development. We have spent our entire adult lives seeing to the needs of other people’s children and, when we are need of assistance to have our own, we have been left utterly high and dry. It is frustrating to say the least, particularly when I know that larger employers in the private sector offer this sort of coverage. Additionally, the lack of financial assistance for families such as my own has been incredibly frustrating. While financial aid programs do exist, they are only for families below a certain income bracket. So, for families like my own, who make enough to get by, but certainly not enough to easily afford IVF, we are left spending our entire life savings in the mere hope of conceiving a child. It seems to me that having a family is a basic human right. I know that my husband are lucky in that we do have the financial means to finance IVF. Many, many families do not. I have heard that many couples—as many as 1 in 8—will have trouble conceiving a child. It is, to say the least, very disappointing that Virginia up until this point has provided no assistance to families in this matter. Mandating infertility coverage is, in my mind, essential. Please feel free to contact me, Rebecca Stooks, at rebeccastooks@gmail.com for more testimony on this matter.
This bill can change the lives of so many couples who are trying to face The infertility battle. A battle that is draining both financially and emotionally. Many of us have given up hope due to our financial situations and insurance companies constraints.
I am an acupuncturist who has been living in Richmond for the last three years, where I specialize in treating women with issues of infertility. About half of my clients are concurrently receiving reproductive assistance in one of several forms, including IUI, IVF, ICSI, egg donation, etc. Only certain individuals can afford this care, while all of my clients share the same deep human desire to have a child. It is shameful that in the Commonwealth of Virginia only the wealthy, or those willing to incur considerable debt, can afford and benefit from this otherwise well established and routine care. I moved to Virginia from Massachusetts, where reproductive care coverage is mandated. Why are we backwards in our thinking about building families in our great Commonwealth? Don’t all families equally deserve a chance to grow? And as families grow, so does our economy. As a member of Virginia’s healthcare community, I urge the House Commerce and Energy Committee, to consider and support HB480, an important bill that will positively impact the 25% of Virginia couples who are struggling to conceive. Sincerely, Porter Nilsson, Licensed Acupuncturist
This bill is important for my family, as my wife and I have resided in Virginia for 7+ years, and are unable to afford treatments as Virginia doesn't require coverage for infertility. I have contacted Senator Kaine for the same and have heard back from his office. We strongly support HB480 as that will help many Virginia residents like ourselves.
On behalf of the Virginia Association of Hematologists and Oncologists (VAHO) and the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), I have attached a letter of support for HB 480.
Opposition to HB480. Esteemed committee, my name is Laura Elm and I am a previous manager of an IVF covered benefit at a national insurance company, and am also the founder of a charitable organization which provides burial for human embryos who die or are discarded in IVF labs, as an alternative to the standard lab practice of disposing of them as medical waste. I respectfully submit written testimony today in opposition to HB 480. While IVF is not named in this bill, broad access to IVF and adjacent costly services (e.g., preimplantation genetic testing) are its primary purpose. The pain and suffering of infertility are very real and I, like you, know wonderful people who would be amazing parents and am heartbroken that the dream of children has not yet come true for them. At the same time, I’m asking you to do something difficult, and that is to not let emotion cloud reason, and to take a scrutinizing look at IVF as a technology, at what it is designed to do. IVF is not technically a treatment for infertility. IVF is a technology that creates human beings in a laboratory. It does not seek itself to cure, repair or restore the patient’s reproductive system. Furthermore, increased access to IVF via an insurance mandate exacerbates the magnitude of an already tremendous injustice being done in this country (and around the world) to the youngest human beings – that is the human beings who are being grown in embryology lab incubators and stored in tanks. Participation in a managed care payor relationship encourages labs to create many human beings per IVF cycle with subsequent grading and genetic testing. These results are then the basis for deciding the fate of young, living human beings: a uterus, a storage tank, or the medical waste receptacle. Finally, this bill includes payer coverage of surrogacy, a dangerous physical and social issue worthy of its own, separate analysis (embedded in 3rd party fertility service arrangements which could encompass donor gametes and surrogacy arrangements. Lines 46-48). Thank you for your careful analysis of this important matter. Laura Elm. Founder, Director. Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter
Infertility is recognized by the World Health Organization as a disease, one that impacts 1 in 8 here in the U.S. an estimated 7.4 million Americans. The same statistic as breast cancer and heart disease. However, many Americans pay out of pocket for their reproductive health care and treatment for this disease. While others in underserved communities will never have access to this care. For those present in this House meeting who are parents, what if you had a disease that not only impacted your quality of life but enabled you the ability to provide you with the basic human right of building a family. My husband and I experienced over a decade of infertility. Brian surgeries and pre-cancer were part of that experience which led to countless out-of-pocket treatments, failed adoptions, financial and emotional devastation and finally our very cherished daughters, 2 and 7 years old, who were born via gestational surrogacy. We were lucky, we had some access to care, but many do not. I ask that you support HB480, and Virginians to have access to reproductive health care and hope for a future family. Thank you, Candace and Chris of Chesapeake
For HB806 and HB480 As an infertility specialist and a former infertility patient, I applaud the authors of these two bills (HB806 and HB480). Infertility affects 1 in 8 women and is a disease as designated by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/ama-backs-global-health-experts-calling-infertility-disease) Unfortunately, treatment of infertility can induce a financial hardship on patients who are already devastated over their diagnosis. Few states have passed legislation mandating some degree of insurance coverage for infertility. (https://resolve.org/what-are-my-options/insurance-coverage/infertility-coverage-state/). Further, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common female hormone problem with estimates up to 20% of women. "Despite the prevalence of the complex and chronic condition, one-third of women diagnosed with PCOS saw at least three health professionals over the course of two years before receiving a diagnosis "(J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(2):604–612). Given the prevalence of infertility and PCOS along with the lack of mandated insurance coverage, women endure a significant burden on their quality of life. Please support HB806 and HB480 to relieve their suffering. Thank you. Sincerely, Mark P. Trolice, M.D. (he/him/his) Director, The IVF Center Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Central Florida College of Medicine @drmarktrolice
As an infertility specialist and a former infertility patient, I applaud the authors of these two bills. Infertility affects 1 in 8 women and is a disease as designated by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/ama-backs-global-health-experts-calling-infertility-disease) Unfortunately, treatment of infertility can induce a financial hardship on patients who are already devastated over their diagnosis. Few states have passed legislation mandating some degree of insurance coverage for infertility. (https://resolve.org/what-are-my-options/insurance-coverage/infertility-coverage-state/). Further, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common female hormone problem with estimates up to 20% of women. "Despite the prevalence of the complex and chronic condition, one-third of women diagnosed with PCOS saw at least three health professionals over the course of two years before receiving a diagnosis "(J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(2):604–612). Given the prevalence of infertility and PCOS along with the lack of mandated insurance coverage, women endure a significant burden on their quality of life. Please support these bills to relieve their suffering. Thank you
On behalf of the Virginia Association of Hematologists and Oncologists (VAHO) and the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), I am submitting letter in support of HB 480.
HB494 - Human donor milk bank licensing; payment of medical assistance and health insurance coverage.
HB768 - Health insurance; association health plan for real estate salespersons.
On behalf of Virginians impacted by multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society respectfully urges the committee to oppose legislation that would increase access to non-comprehensive health plans (HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 932, HB 1169). We stand ready to work with the committee on positive ways to make health coverage more affordable for Virginians.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society respectfully submits written testimony in opposition to HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923 and HB 1169. We are concerned that these bills would provide inadequate coverage for people with blood cancers.
Although the MEWA and AHP proposals being considered by the General Assembly differ in their particulars, they are all intended to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to risk select out of the common risk pools created by the Affordable Care Act. This will inevitably have the effect of increasing the cost of health coverage for older individuals or small groups and for people with pre-existing conditions who are not covered by the AHP or MEWA. Moreover, insofar as the proposals would cover small groups or individuals as large groups, or split up the small group and individual single risk pool, they would violate federal law. All of this is explained further in the attached testimony.
HB774 - Renewable energy facilities; SCC shall create a task force to analyze life cycle.
We support HB 774
HB806 - Health insurance; coverage for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Dear Chair Byron and the House Commerce and Energy Committee: I write to you in support of the passage of Delegate Price's HB 806 Health insurance; coverage for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As a person with PCOS, I've struggled with all aspects of the debilitating syndrome - physical, mental, and financial. I was diagnosed in my late teens yet did not receive proper care until my mid-thirties. My insurance didn't cover many of the tests and available treatments offered for the physical manifestations of PCOS. I picked up second jobs and used credit cards to pay for things like acupuncture, laser hair removal, and supplements in order to get a grip on my spiraling symptoms. People with PCOS have enough to deal with. Their diagnosis, minimal available treatments, and negative health outcomes are overwhelming and disheartening on their own. Without proper insurance coverage for things like hair and skin treatments and nutritional counseling - both of which can majorly improve our wellness - we are left without these treatments or in debt. I ask that you please stand up for people with PCOS in Virginia and around the country by passing HB 806. Thank you, Megan Murphy
As a representative of PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, I am writing to provide testimony in support of HB806 to expand insurance coverage for all people with polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS is the most common hormone disorder in women and one of the most common human disorders. PCOS leads to some of the greatest burdens on health care including diabetes, stroke, cancer, liver disease, mental health disorders and maternal health complications. PCOS leads to over $8 billion in healthcare costs annually in the United States alone. These costs and the personal economic burden of PCOS can be reduced with greater insurance coverage. Despite paying significant premiums each month, many insurance plans do not cover medically necessary treatment and management options and preventative services for PCOS patients. PCOS patients need insurance coverage for hair and skin issues, nutrition counseling, and mental health services. Thank you to the committee for your time and consideration.
Greetings. My name is Brandy Cramer and I am a cisgender woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I am for the proposed bill, HB806 for insurance coverage for PCOS-related healthcare and services. PCOS is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic and reproductive disorder. In addition to carrying higher risks for infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer and other serious conditions, PCOS often has devastating effects on quality of life and self-esteem due to symptoms including excess facial and body hair growth (hirsutism), hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), skin tags, acne and other skin issues. Because addressing these issues can be time-consuming, expensive, and frustrating, many people with PCOS feel unable to manage them effectively, and some experience anxiety and depression. Dealing with the hirsutism, hair loss and skin issues has been embarrassing for me personally. I was bullied in school because of my facial hair and even made fun of as an adult. It’s made me self-conscious, anxious and uncomfortable. I've tried to hide it and often avoided physical closeness with others to conceal it. It has impacted my relationships and contributed to my low self-esteem and depression. I’ve spent countless hours and thousands of dollars out of pocket to address these issues. I’ve tried plucking, waxing and medications. I consistently wear my hair a certain style to cover up my receding hairline. I’ve seen numerous doctors and dermatologists for guidance. Receiving laser hair removal treatment for my hirsutism helped me regain a sense of confidence. However, hirsutism can be hard to eliminate for people with PCOS, and 50% of my facial hair regrew. I was then told that because I have PCOS it would require frequent follow-up treatments for “maintenance”, but I couldn’t the afford additional treatments after spending $2,000 on the first round. I still shave every day. While some people with PCOS have found the courage to let their facial hair and excess body hair grow out fully, that’s not the case for me. It’s too is still deeply ingrained in me that facial hair and excess body hair are seen as “unfeminine” and “undesirable”. Many healthcare and insurance organizations are unaware of the pervasiveness, severity and impact of these problems. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women and too often the serious hair and skin issues of women with PCOS are being dismissed as merely cosmetic, instead of being treated as medical problems. As such, the calls for help by millions of girls and women affected by PCOS are largely going ignored by major institutions and necessary treatments such as electrolysis and laser hair removal are not being covered by insurance, making them difficult to afford. It’s frustrating, difficult, and even heartbreaking at times to have PCOS and deal with its various symptoms and related health conditions. This medical issue should not be a financial burden as well. Please pass the proposed bill, HB806 for insurance coverage for PCOS-related healthcare and services.
For HB806 and HB480 As an infertility specialist and a former infertility patient, I applaud the authors of these two bills (HB806 and HB480). Infertility affects 1 in 8 women and is a disease as designated by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/ama-backs-global-health-experts-calling-infertility-disease) Unfortunately, treatment of infertility can induce a financial hardship on patients who are already devastated over their diagnosis. Few states have passed legislation mandating some degree of insurance coverage for infertility. (https://resolve.org/what-are-my-options/insurance-coverage/infertility-coverage-state/). Further, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common female hormone problem with estimates up to 20% of women. "Despite the prevalence of the complex and chronic condition, one-third of women diagnosed with PCOS saw at least three health professionals over the course of two years before receiving a diagnosis "(J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(2):604–612). Given the prevalence of infertility and PCOS along with the lack of mandated insurance coverage, women endure a significant burden on their quality of life. Please support HB806 and HB480 to relieve their suffering. Thank you. Sincerely, Mark P. Trolice, M.D. (he/him/his) Director, The IVF Center Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Central Florida College of Medicine @drmarktrolice
My name is Emily Marge, and I live in Alexandria, Virginia. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is estimated to affect over 350,000 women in Virginia; I am one of them. I strongly support the passage of HB 806 Health insurance; coverage for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Passage of this bill will substantially impact the care those with PCOS endure. Having support from my healthcare providers to manage and prevent any other health issues related to PCOS is not enough; I need insurance payers' help too. Thank you so much Delegate Price for advocating for Virginians who have PCOS.
As an infertility specialist and a former infertility patient, I applaud the authors of these two bills. Infertility affects 1 in 8 women and is a disease as designated by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/ama-backs-global-health-experts-calling-infertility-disease) Unfortunately, treatment of infertility can induce a financial hardship on patients who are already devastated over their diagnosis. Few states have passed legislation mandating some degree of insurance coverage for infertility. (https://resolve.org/what-are-my-options/insurance-coverage/infertility-coverage-state/). Further, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common female hormone problem with estimates up to 20% of women. "Despite the prevalence of the complex and chronic condition, one-third of women diagnosed with PCOS saw at least three health professionals over the course of two years before receiving a diagnosis "(J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(2):604–612). Given the prevalence of infertility and PCOS along with the lack of mandated insurance coverage, women endure a significant burden on their quality of life. Please support these bills to relieve their suffering. Thank you
The following below is my written statement in favor of this bill.
HB806 - FOR On behalf of PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association and the nearly 2,000 members we serve in the state of Virginia, I would like to provide testimony in support of HB806, a bill sponsored by Delegate Marcia Price to expand insurance coverage for all people with polycystic ovary syndrome. Specifically, coverage for treatments for hair and skin issues caused by PCOS, and nutrition and lifestyle management of PCOS. (PCOS) is estimated to affect 10-15% of women in the United State and over 20% in some parts of the world. PCOS is the most common hormone disorder in women that can cause infertility, excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism), hair loss, acne; and increases the risk for some of the biggest burdens on health including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, stroke, and pregnancy complications. According to the CDC, 50% of PCOS patients will become diabetic or prediabetic before age 40. Hair and Skin The prevalence of hirsutism in PCOS ranges from 70 to 80%, vs. 4% to 11% in women in the general population, making PCOS the most common cause of hirsutism in women. Despite this fact, most of the treatments for removing unwanted hair are not covered by insurance for PCOS patients and have historically been considered cosmetic. However, hirsutism causes significant distress, anxiety, depression, body image issues, relationship-building issues, and other quality of life and psychosocial issues in women and girls with PCOS. PCOS patients with hirsutism should have access to and insurance coverage electrolysis, laser hair removal, and pharmacologic treatments to address unwanted hair growth. Treatments for other hair and skin issues caused by or connected to PCOS including alopecia, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and others, should be covered by insurance for PCOS patients. These are medical issues that cause pain, distress, and suffering, and require treatments to improve mental and psychosocial health as well as the quality of life and more positive outcomes in PCOS patients. Nutrition and Lifestyle According to the latest International Guidelines on PCOS, lifestyle interventions are the first-line intervention for PCOS management. However, many PCOS patients do not have insurance coverage for interventions including nutrition and lifestyle counseling with dietitians, nutritionists, exercise physiologists, therapists, and others. On a personal note, when I was first diagnosed with PCOS, my insurance would not cover nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian because I didn't have diabetes - the very thing I was trying to prevent and was at high risk of developing because of my PCOS diagnosis. I do not want another person who has been diagnosed with PCOS being dismissed and told to lose weight and come back in six months, without having access to appropriate interventions such as lifestyle or hair and skin treatments. This is a great disservice to citizens of Virginia to not have the proper insurance coverage to treat and address PCOS, one of the most common human disorders. Expanded insurance coverage for PCOS presents an opportunity for preventing other disorders such as diabetes, infertility, mental health issues, pregnancy complications, and more. Virginians deserve better. We all deserve better. Please vote in favor of HB806 for expanded insurance coverage for PCOS. Thank you.
On behalf of Resolve New England (RNE), I am writing to express our strong support for HB 806, related to coverage for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). RNE is a non-profit organization that provides support, education and advocacy open to all that are striving to make their dreams of parenthood come true. We are so grateful to Delegate Price for her extraordinary leadership on behalf of PCOS. Efficient and equitable access to care related to PCOS is critical to overall health and well-being. We respectfully urge the committee to support HB 806. Thank you!
HB842 - Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program; federal risk adjustment program.
HB884 - Group health benefit plans; sponsoring associations, formation of benefits consortium, definitions.
The Northern Virginia Chamber supports HB101, HB245, and HB884 related to benefits consortiums. These bills would allow more small businesses to offer health care benefits, meaning more Virginians would have health insurance coverage. This leads to a healthier and more productive workforce in the Commonwealth. We ask you favorably report these bills. Thank you.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber strongly supports HB 101, HB 245, and HB 884. Benefits consortiums will allow more small businesses to offer health insurance as an employment benefit and will reduce the costs of healthcare coverage for those businesses.
HB889 - Nonpayment of wages; defense of contractor.
I urge you to open access to solar power in SWVA for people, businesses, and organizations unable to install solar on their own building . These bills (SB629/HB1634) are about fairness - restoring equity to solar access for electric customers regardless of where they live in Virginia. The General Assembly passed bipartisan legislation in 2020 (SB629/HB1634) to create a shared solar program in Virginia. This program is important to provide fair customer access to solar regardless of income level, building ownership, condition, or shading, who otherwise are left out of the opportunity to adopt solar power. These bills provide new opportunities to build solar on brownfields and mine lands and create jobs in the areas where the programs are available. Critically the bills will provide local employment opportunity and attract new businesses interested in being solar-powered. Only shared solar subscribers in Dominion Energy service area receive a bill credit for their proportional output of shared solar projects. As it now stands, the law discriminates against electric customers in SWVA. The 2020 legislation had significant bipartisan support throughout the 2020 legislative session, and the bills received unanimous support in committee and on the floor before being amended by conference committee. The bills' original language included Appalachian Power Company (APCo) and Kentucky Utilities/Old Dominion Power (ODP) in the program. On 3/7/20, the conference report narrowed the definition of utility to only include Dominion, eliminating APCo and ODP customers. Shared solar is particularly needed in Southwest Virginia where coal mine land suitable for solar is not large enough to support utility-scale projects, but can support community-scale projects (1-5 MW). HB 832 (Del. Wilt) and SB 659 (Sen. Hanger and Sen. Edwards) will permit APCo and ODP customers to access the same program as Dominion customers. Customers in Southwest Virginia deserve the same fair and equal access to solar programs and the associated jobs and economic benefits as are currently available to customers in other parts of the state. The bill simply changes the definition of utility to include all three investor-owned utilities in Virginia. Thank you for your service to Virginia and for restoring equity and fairness for Southwest Virginians.
HB923 - Health insurance; association health plan for real estate salespersons.
On behalf of Virginians impacted by multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society respectfully urges the committee to oppose legislation that would increase access to non-comprehensive health plans (HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923, HB 1169). We stand ready to work with the committee on positive ways to make health coverage more affordable for Virginians.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society respectfully submits written testimony in opposition to HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923 and HB 1169. We are concerned that these bills would provide inadequate coverage for people with blood cancers.
HB932 - Workers' compensation; COVID-19, health care providers.
911 operators experience the same issues that deputies experience
Although the MEWA and AHP proposals being considered by the General Assembly differ in their particulars, they are all intended to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to risk select out of the common risk pools created by the Affordable Care Act. This will inevitably have the effect of increasing the cost of health coverage for older individuals or small groups and for people with pre-existing conditions who are not covered by the AHP or MEWA. Moreover, insofar as the proposals would cover small groups or individuals as large groups, or split up the small group and individual single risk pool, they would violate federal law. All of this is explained further in the attached testimony.
HB944 - SCC; identification of certain provisions regarding employee welfare benefit plans, report.
HB1081 - Health insurance; calculation of enrollee's contribution, high deductible health plan.
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.
HB1111 - Health insurance; coverage for proton therapy.
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.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
HB1169 - Health insurance; association health plans.
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.
On behalf of Virginians impacted by multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society respectfully urges the committee to oppose legislation that would increase access to non-comprehensive health plans (HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923, HB 1169). We stand ready to work with the committee on positive ways to make health coverage more affordable for Virginians.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society respectfully submits written testimony in opposition to HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923 and HB 1169. We are concerned that these bills would provide inadequate coverage for people with blood cancers.
Although the MEWA and AHP proposals being considered by the General Assembly differ in their particulars, they are all intended to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to risk select out of the common risk pools created by the Affordable Care Act. This will inevitably have the effect of increasing the cost of health coverage for older individuals or small groups and for people with pre-existing conditions who are not covered by the AHP or MEWA. Moreover, insofar as the proposals would cover small groups or individuals as large groups, or split up the small group and individual single risk pool, they would violate federal law. All of this is explained further in the attached testimony.
HB1243 - Health insurance; coverage for breast cancer screenings, mammography facilities.
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.
This is a very important bill for all women. Everyone knows someone that has been touched by breast cancer, and unfortunately a great deal of women have been impacted due to lack of services. I am the founder of the Sisters Network Central Virginia chapter and we have been actively working in the community for over 17 years to assist women with support , whether it is mentally, physically, or financially to get the services they need. I am also a 22-year survivor and I completely understand the importance of this bill. Early detection saves lives, so make it possible for those that need additional services to get them.
As the Director of the VCU Massey Cancer Center, I endorse HB 1243 to expand health insurance coverage requirements for greater mammogram coverage which includes diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging. These expansions, along with the exclusion of the cost-sharing requirements, are important to many underserved communities in the area served by Massey who simply cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for proper screening. The bill also requires certain mammogram facilities certified pursuant to the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act provide extended hours for screening mammography services, which is greatly beneficial to the working populations and those without reliable childcare. In Virginia, only 73% of women 45 years and older are up- to- date on mammograms, and since Covid, this number is dropping. Thank you for your consideration to keep the women in the Commonwealth healthy and cancer free.
I am writing to express my support for HB1243. This bill would protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRIs. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer are essential to ensuring better health outcomes and eliminating expensive financial barriers to accessing diagnostic breast imaging can help save lives. As a woman with an increased risk of getting breast cancer due to family history and because I have incredibly dense breast tissue, my doctors have had to consistently use advanced diagnostic tools like the diagnostic mammogram and a breast ultrasound for screenings. These tools are necessary for patients like me to ensure that nothing is missed or overlooked in the scans and so that any anomalies can be carefully investigated further. Providers should have access to all tools necessary to thoroughly evaluate a patient's health status and patients shouldn't be hit with surprise, and often expensive, out-of-pocket bills when trying to access health care--especially health care that can potentially save one's life! I urge your support of this bill for constituents like me and all Virginians.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
HB101 - Group health benefit plans; sponsoring associations, formation of benefits consortium.
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.
On behalf of Virginians impacted by multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society respectfully urges the committee to oppose legislation that would increase access to non-comprehensive health plans (HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 932, HB 1169). We stand ready to work with the committee on positive ways to make health coverage more affordable for Virginians.
Comments Document
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society respectfully submits written testimony in opposition to HB 101, HB 245, HB 768, HB 923 and HB 1169. We are concerned that these bills would provide inadequate coverage for people with blood cancers.
HB 1201 Unemployment benefits should be carefully controlled. We must avoid providing disincentives to work.
HB 118 Yes, include solar!
HB 1243 Mammography must be optional, based on the woman's choice. For a lot of thinking women it is wrong (does not make sense) to invade breasts with radiation in an effort to "detect" breast cancer.
HB 126 Yes, by all means.....Proton therapy works, I think.
HB 1288 Yes, by all means.....And rate reviews must allow for the power of solar to help us save the environment.
HB 153 Yes, by all means.....no state funds should be paid to workers illegally impaired.
HB 1160 I am in favor of this----a necessity nowadays to keep our communities healthy.
HB 263 If this bill will help to ensure that banks will be able to help people save money in virtual currency and add that to FDIC-like assurances for saving consumers......it has my blessing.
HB 225 -- It is a good idea to carefully define this disorder in the bill. Make sure NOT to simply repeat psychiatric jargon in the wording of the law, or it will be uninterpretable by the public that is being served. At a minimum, provide a clear definition of autism in plain English in the bill.
Comments Document
Although the MEWA and AHP proposals being considered by the General Assembly differ in their particulars, they are all intended to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to risk select out of the common risk pools created by the Affordable Care Act. This will inevitably have the effect of increasing the cost of health coverage for older individuals or small groups and for people with pre-existing conditions who are not covered by the AHP or MEWA. Moreover, insofar as the proposals would cover small groups or individuals as large groups, or split up the small group and individual single risk pool, they would violate federal law. All of this is explained further in the attached testimony.
The Northern Virginia Chamber supports HB101, HB245, and HB884 related to benefits consortiums. These bills would allow more small businesses to offer health care benefits, meaning more Virginians would have health insurance coverage. This leads to a healthier and more productive workforce in the Commonwealth. We ask you favorably report these bills. Thank you.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber strongly supports HB 101, HB 245, and HB 884. Benefits consortiums will allow more small businesses to offer health insurance as an employment benefit and will reduce the costs of healthcare coverage for those businesses.