Public Comments for 02/14/2023 Unknown Committee/Subcommittee
SB904 - Workers' compensation; anxiety disorder or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers.
Last Name: Rapaport Organization: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commissio Locality: Virginia Beach

As Chairman of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, I am available to address any questions the Committee may have related to HB 904, 906 and/or HB 1038.

SB906 - Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability for certain cancers.
Last Name: Rapaport Organization: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commissio Locality: Virginia Beach

As Chairman of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, I am available to address any questions the Committee may have related to HB 904, 906 and/or HB 1038.

SB974 - Consumer finance companies; authority of Attorney General to issue civil investigative demand.
No Comments Available
SB1003 - Health insurance; mandated coverage for hearing aids for minors.
Last Name: Howlett Locality: Virginia Beach

I SUPPORT SB1003. As an Audiologist, I have had multiple families struggle with financial cost of hearing instruments for their child/ children. Financial struggles can delay care for these children affecting their speech/language and social development. Thank you for your support of this bill and our children.

Last Name: Cardwell Locality: Virginia Beach

All students deserve access to medical supports that allow them to maximize their learning potential. A child with reduced hearing requires hearing aids to fully access their free and appropriate public education. Thank you for supporting and protecting the educational rights of our students.

Last Name: Berns Organization: VBCPS Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill.

Last Name: Romash Locality: Virginia Beach

Please approve this bill.

Last Name: Franklin Locality: VIRGINIA BEACH

I support this bill for Clay and all children like him.

Last Name: Abeson Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill.

Last Name: Brumbaugh Organization: The Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia Locality: Washington, DC

The Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports SB 1003. A previous version of this bill, SB 423, passed in all Senate committees and the floor uncontested. Because SB 423 had a fiscal impact and would have required updates to health insurance coverage terms for state employees (to include the coverage of pediatric hearing aids), the bill remained inactive after its passage. SB 1003 would ensure its activation and cover pediatric hearing aids in the amount of $1,500 per ear, among other medically necessary services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing sounds and words helps children learn to talk and understand. A child with hearing loss misses out on these sounds, potentially causing problems with speaking, reading, school success, and social skills (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 2023). If appropriate early intervention does not occur within the first 6-12 months, hearing loss or deafness, even if mild, can negatively impact the development of spoken communication with hearing family and peers (National Research Council, 2005). Without help, children with mild to moderate hearing loss may fall one to four grade levels behind, and children with more severe hearing loss may not learn past the third- or fourth-grade level (ASHA, 2023). Support our children's health, learning, and community involvement by voting in favor of SB 1003.

Last Name: johnston Organization: Clayton Dupilka Locality: Virginia Beach

Our kids need support for essential things that help them achieve greater! Please support this bill for our kids to get what they need in order to succeed!!

Last Name: Arcese Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill! Please keep trying to get it passed!

Last Name: Hurst Locality: Virginia Beach

I support the bill.

Last Name: Frazier Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill.

Last Name: Jackson Organization: L Locality: Chesapeake

I am in support of this bill as every child should have access to the technology they need to hear and develop speech and language. As a pediatric audiologist, I for kids from birth to 21 with hearing aids and I have seen families make difficult financial choices to pay for their child’s hearing aids. One family had to sell a car to afford hearing aids. I work to find funds to help pay for hearing aids for these families, but those funds often run out. This bill is critical for families with children with hearing loss. Please vote in support of these children !

Last Name: Clayton Locality: Harrisonburg

Please support SB 1003.

Last Name: Peters Locality: Virginia Beach

Let’s set our children up for success by ensuring all children are given the tools they need to hear!

Last Name: Cooper Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill!

Last Name: Cooper Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill.

Last Name: Dunaway Locality: Virginia Beach

Hearing aids are much needed

Last Name: Scissom Locality: Virginia Beach

This is critical for proper health care coverage.

Last Name: Phelan Locality: Virginia Beach

I am in favor of the bill.

Last Name: Clendenin Organization: Sentara Princess Anne Hospital Locality: Virginia Beach

Children deserve access to medical devices that would improve their quality of life and allow them to hear the world around them. Our children deserve this. Please pass this bill!

Last Name: Lutes Locality: Virginia Beach

How is this not already a thing!? I support bill SB1003 and Clay fully.

Last Name: Rodman Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill.

Last Name: Maresco Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill to provide hearing aids to those minors in need who may be financially unable to do so. All children should have all the resources they need to be successful.

Last Name: Redieske Locality: Charlottesville

Please pass Clay’s bill!! All children should have hearing aids covered by insurance!

Last Name: White Locality: Henrico

I am a pediatric audiologist in favor of this bill.

Last Name: Michels Locality: Virginia Beach

I support this bill!

Last Name: Billingsley Locality: Virginia Beach

I am in favor of this bill.

Last Name: VanDeursen Locality: Henrico

In favor of this bill!

Last Name: Thomas Locality: Virginia Beach

I’ve worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for over 5 years and with many children with hearing loss. This is SO important to support. The amount of progress and joy I’ve seen in kiddos that get hearing aids is astounding. If it was your child, wouldn’t you want the option?

Last Name: McNutt Locality: Virginia Beach

How is this already not a standard?! Hearing impacts all childhood development & children/families deserve support from health insurance companies they invest in. Thank you!

Last Name: Wood Locality: Virginia Beach

Vote to accept n pass the bill

Last Name: Groves Locality: Virginia Beach

Children deserve better! I am in favor of this bill!

Last Name: Torres Locality: York

This should absolutely occur! The fact that they already aren’t included is absolute insanity. Children deserve any opportunity to be provided the medical devices they need, including hearing aids. There should be no reason why the private sector should privatize, capitalize, and hold hostage necessary medical devices for children, whom are often unable to speak for themselves in our government. Hearing is so impactful upon development and quality of life and it would be absolutely shameful to disregard this request. Americans pay an astronomical amount of money for insurance, as do our tax dollars for medical coverage programs, and I would be so very disappointed to know insurance dollars could and would fund the most preposterous items and prescriptions, such as ED medication, but not consider the quality of life provided to our children with serious medical dilemmas. Do what’s right.

Last Name: McKee Locality: Virginia Beach

My name is Dianne McKee (AKAGrandma) and I am the Grandmother of Clayton Dupilka. I am writing to gain support for SB 1003 Health Insurance; mandated coverage for hearing aids for minors. This bill has passed unanimously the Commerce and Labor and Finance committee and the Senate. SB1003 has bipartisan support in the House and Senate. The bill will allow most of Virginia’s children to obtain the necessary equipment for development and to allow them to thrive in school. Below are key metrics supporting SB1003: Hearing aids along with molds can cost families over $3,000 every 3-5 years. Medicaid covers hearing aids although most family fall just above the cutoff placing great financial strain on families. Providing coverage could save educational systems over 40k per child who does not have the necessary equipment. Delays in hearing increases the risk of depression, lower social skills, emotional/behavior difficulties, and language delays. Research shows if hearing loss goes untreated children are at risk of unemployment or loss in

Last Name: Seigler Locality: Virginia Beach

Pass this bill

Last Name: Cecchini Locality: Virginia Beach

I am in favor of SB 1003

Last Name: Schmitz Locality: Virginia Beach

As a Virginia resident and healthcare provider I fully support this bill to help all children hear.

Last Name: Eubanks Locality: Hanover

I SUPPORT SB 1003. Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. Without appropriate language skills, the ability to obtain reading and writing skills and attend school is severely restricted. Many parents cannot afford to pay the full cost of hearing aids for their children, so it is vital that their insurance help them. The CDC has estimated that the lifetime cost to the public for a child with hearing loss is over $400,000, mostly due to special education services. The child may also grow up to be an adult who needs rehabilitative and vocational support in order to be a productive citizen. More than half of US states have realized that it is much more cost-effective to invest in these children now, than to have to provide for them later. Virginia already screens children for hearing loss at birth, the next logical step is to provide hearing aids for the relatively small number of children with permanent hearing loss. Thank you for supporting SB 1003

SB1011 - Health insurance; tobacco surcharge.
Last Name: Casper Organization: American Lung Association in Virginia Locality: Richmond

Comments Document

My name is Aleks Casper and I am the Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Virginia. We are happy to support Senator Edwards bill, SB 1011 which would eliminate the tobacco surcharge in Virginia. The American Lung Association is committed to making it as easy as possible for smokers to get evidence-based assistance to help them quit and end their addiction to nicotine. Data shows seven in ten smokers want to quit but only one in ten quit successfully in a year. This bill makes it easier for smokers to access quality and affordable healthcare, including treatments to quit smoking. I am attached comments supporting this bill, as well as a one-page fact sheet which outlines why tobacco surcharges are ineffective. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments, and we encourage you to vote YES when the bill comes before you in committee. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please let me know. Thank you for your continued support! Aleks

SB1038 - Workers' compensation; presumption for arson and hazardous materials investigators.
Last Name: Rapaport Organization: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commissio Locality: Virginia Beach

As Chairman of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, I am available to address any questions the Committee may have related to HB 904, 906 and/or HB 1038.

SB1040 - Employee's social security number; prohibited use by employer, civil penalty.
No Comments Available
SB1075 - Phase I Utilities; financing for certain deferred fuel costs, biennial reviews, etc.
No Comments Available
SB1131 - Insurance agents; title insurance and viatical settlement.
No Comments Available
SB1171 - Association health plans; rates based on employer member's risk profile.
No Comments Available
SB1249 - Ticket resale; deceptive trade practices prohibited, definitions.
No Comments Available
SB1261 - Health insurance; electronic prior authorization and disclosure of certain information.
No Comments Available
SB1265 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act; retail competitiveness, review proceedings, etc.
Last Name: Caywood Organization: retired Locality: Virginia Beach

I support SB1321, not SB1265.

Last Name: Rykheart Locality: Virginia Beach

SB 1265, which increases the guaranteed profit margin of electric utilities, and SB 1321, which allows the SCC to lower electricity rates whenever it determines that projected revenues of Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power will result in overcharging Virginians, are docketed to come before you. Please consider the best interest of all Virginians when determining your actions. Support the individual citizens of the Commonwealth who voted you into office, not the campaign donors who paid to get you there. Table, pass by, or leave in committee SB 1265. Send SB 1321 to the House floor for a vote.

SB1321 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act; regulation of rates, proceeding to review base rates.
Last Name: Caywood Locality: Virginia Beach

I support SB1321. The State Corporation Commission is the agency created to provide oversight and it should be allowed to do the job. This bill is straightforward and clear and puts the responsibility where it belongs. Please report out SB1321. Today and yesterday I saw full page ads in the Virginian Pilot by my electric utility advocating for other legislation, thus paid for in some measure by me, but not in my interest. I am infuriated by this utility getting away with overcharging its captive customers and then using its excess profits to influence its own regulation.

Last Name: Rykheart Locality: Virginia Beach

SB 1265, which increases the guaranteed profit margin of electric utilities, and SB 1321, which allows the SCC to lower electricity rates whenever it determines that projected revenues of Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power will result in overcharging Virginians, are docketed to come before you. Please consider the best interest of all Virginians when determining your actions. Support the individual citizens of the Commonwealth who voted you into office, not the campaign donors who paid to get you there. Table, pass by, or leave in committee SB 1265. Send SB 1321 to the House floor for a vote.

SB1363 - Registered apprentices; persons 16 yrs. of age or older may serve in barbershop/cosmetology salon.
No Comments Available
SB1397 - Health Insurance Reform Commission; review of essential health benefits benchmark plan.
No Comments Available
SB1399 - Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Bureau of Insurance to select a new plan.
No Comments Available
SB1409 - Medicare; supplement policies for certain individuals under age 65.
No Comments Available
SB1420 - Business park electric infrastructure program; makes permanent and amends certain provisions.
No Comments Available
SB1509 - Home solicitation sale; clarifies definition.
No Comments Available
SB1535 - Smyth-Washington Regional Industrial Facilities Authority; dissolution.
No Comments Available
SB1540 - Consumer protection; automatic renewal or continuous service offer to consumer, exemptions.
No Comments Available
SB1541 - Utilities; SCC shall issue final order on certain projects within a certain timeframe.
No Comments Available
End of Comments