I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and am a member of the American Mental Health Counseling Association. As part of that organization, I have been participating on the Counseling Compact Committee. I am pleased that the bill is being considered by the committee and hope that the committee will allow the bill to proceed so it can be voted on by the House. This bill will make it easier for a counselor to practice across state lines, while still allowing states to set their own licensure rules. As a counselor who is licensed in 2 other states, I can say that maintaining a license in numerous states is a complicated and expensive under taking. I moved to Virginia a little over a year ago from New Mexico. In order for me to become a counselor in Virginia, I had to go through the application process here. Had there been a compact at that time (and New Mexico and Virginia were both members), the process would have been greatly simplified for me in getting my license here. In today's world, anything that states can do to make counseling more accessible, is something that should be done. I appreciate your reading my comments and I urge the committee to allow this bill to move forward in the legislative process.

SB846 provides help with the behavioral health workforce shortage while ensuring very reasonable protections for the public. Peer Recovery Specialists are integral to the successful recovery of many people seeking help. They should be allowed to work in settings where the employer is aware of any relevant criminal history, determines they are qualified, do not pose a risk to the public and wants to hire the person.

Writing to oppose SB 948 for the following reasons 1) Patient Safety and Public Safety as it relates to strep testing and diagnosing /testing/treating urinary tract infections 2) Fragmentation of care – lack of information at both ends regarding prior test results and treatments 3) Pharmacists are overwhelmed. As noted by Delegate Hodges in his testimony 2 weeks ago, it is common for pharmacies to be 6-7 days behind filling their prescriptions. Why add more work to overwhelm them further? a) Patients are having problems obtaining their prescriptions for multiple reasons. Tying up our office staff wanting to know why the pharmacy has not received their prescriptions. b) Pharmacy hours are reduced or closed c) Drive thrus are closed d) Long lines inside the pharmacies. Patients with active COVID must go inside to obtain their Paxlovid. Recommendations: 1) Reduce the administrative burden for physician offices in dispensing medication for acute conditions with adequate reimbursement. 2) Consider legislative study by Joint Commission on Health Care after session to look at reducing regulatory and administrative burdens of dispensing medication in medical practices. 3) Consider legislative study by Joint Commission on Health Care after session examining large store pharmacies data management of prescriptions and refills Thank you.

I am in favor of SB1005 as this would positively impact the Physical Therapy profession and the patients we care for.

will benefit patients and clinicians

This would be a tremendous asset to the profession and the medical field as a whole. It reduces financial and time burden of patients and creates less of a headache for medical professionals. Other states who have adopted this model are thriving. Allow physical therapist in the Commonwealth to fully utilize the doctorate degrees they have earned withe the autonomy they deserve.

I am a PT and Direct Access has greatly benefited multiple clients. Dry Needling has also helped individuals pain.

I am in favor of SB1005.

As a rehab manager, it's imperative that patients have direct access to PTs to receive the care they need without any restrictions or limitations.

This benefits all patients and improves access to physical therapy.

This will increase access for patients who would benefit from this treatment!

I work as a Direct Access Provider, providing many services that include dry needling. I highly support SB1005.

Much in favor of this bill and the positive impacts it would bring to physical therapy practice

In FAVOR of this bill.

Please increase access to care for patients! Thank you

As a practicing Physical Therapist who see direct access patients as well as privides Dry Needling I strongly support this bill.

I urge the delegates to vote in favor of this resolution by Senator Jennifer McClellan. A Cover All Kids program will provide much needed health care coverage to children and provide them with a healthy start to life. Having lived in a few other states I know what a difference health care coverage can make to children and their families. I was very surprised upon moving to Virginia nearly five years ago how different state coverages could be. As a retired teacher any education issue or health care issue for children should be a concern and of the utmost importance to all of us. They are our future. Let's not continue to let them down.