If you don't know what a bill does, don't vote for it. This bill fails to deliver upon the goals it promises. Health care is already undergoing innovation and it is innovating everyday. This bill was originally introduced in 2022 and since then, questions asked originally have not been answered and the list of unanswered questions continues to grow. Federal laws ultimately dictate health innovation and this bill does not address those laws. The reality is, that this bill is far more likely to deter genuine health innovation than promote it in the long run. The ambiguity of the bill's goals and vague consumer protections makes it ripe for abuse for vulnerable populations. Will "health consumers" know they are dealing with a "product" that is not necessarily subject to normative VA health regulations? How will "health consumers" that have been adversely affected, know that it is the State Commissioner who they will need to reach out to in order to "provide data"? The bill leaves it up to the company themselves to describe the risks, will the Commonwealth have its own subject matter experts who can review these risks? If you don't know what a bill does, don't vote for it. THERE IS NO NEED FOR A LEGAL PATHWAY FOR HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION IN VIRGINIA. The only thing more ambiguous than the consumer protections in this bill, the beneficiaries. If this bill is heard again next year, it will 5 years since it was originally heard. 5 years is the same time window allotted in this bill, yet not a single VA company has spoken in favor of this bill. In that 5 years, has it been brought to the committee's attention at least 5 Virginia companies that would benefit or 5 Virginia specific health regulations that are overly burdensome to "health innovation" occurring in the Commonwealth? If you don't know what a bill does, don't vote for it.

Now, more than ever, does The Commonwealth have such an urgent task to provide consistent, accessible, and affordable health care services for women. Without well researched programs and streamlined processes women are at risk. Please support these initiatives and vote to strengthen these necessary footholds for all women in Virginia.

Comments Document

Please find testimony attached. Thank you.

Please give serious consideration to passing this bill. I deeply wish that pediatric extended care centers existed when my son George was still alive. George was born 10 weeks premature with a congenital heart defect; he has his first open heart surgery at UVA when he was barely five pounds! Due to complications from his surgery he required a trach and g tube. We were overjoyed to bring him home and he thrived but acquiring reliable home nursing was always a challenge. I remember hearing about these centers when I was crying about having lost another nurse to turnover and wondering how I would meet productivity quotas at my job and thinking "Why cant Virginia have something like this?" We were blessed to be able to work from home during this time so we got by but other parents are not so lucky and they shouldn't be precluded form taking their children home because of the severe home nursing shortage. Also, these centers would allow children to have access to a whole staff or nurses and therapists to aid in their development and in case of emergencies. We were not so lucky. Our son had an emergency at home while I was in the hospital delivering his baby brother. His home nurse did not realize his trach was actually out the whole time and he passed away because he was without oxygen for too long. He was two weeks shy of his second birthday. If he was in another setting (like one of these care centers) with a staff of nurses and respiratory therapists, the outcome likely would have been different. These centers could bring peace of mind to families during the day and allow these incredible children to be in a safe setting with their peers.

How is this - My name is Thomas LoBianco, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact that Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care centers (PPECs) have on medically fragile children and their families—not just as someone who operates these centers, but also as a parent of a special needs child. My family opened Florida’s first independently owned PPEC center in 1988. Since then, we’ve expanded to six centers in Florida and are now opening one in Texas because we have seen both the need for and the impact of our services. PPEC centers provide an essential alternative to private duty nursing, offering high-quality, skilled nursing care at a significantly lower cost. With ongoing nursing shortages, many families struggle to secure reliable in-home care, leaving them without options. PPECs bridge that gap, providing consistent, specialized care in a structured setting that not only supports a child’s medical and developmental needs but also improves long-term health outcomes. Beyond that, PPECs help reduce the burden on hospitals and emergency services. When children receive proper daily care, they are far less likely to experience medical emergencies that require ambulance transport, ER visits, or hospital stays—events that drive up healthcare costs for the state. PPECs are a proactive solution that improve health outcomes while significantly reducing Medicaid expenditures. Other states, including Michigan and Ohio, have recently moved to implement PPEC regulations, recognizing the benefits for both families and state healthcare budgets. Virginia now has the opportunity to do the same by passing this bill and ensuring access to a proven, effective model of care. I appreciate your time and consideration. This is a solution that works—not just for families, but for the state as a whole. Thank you, Thomas LoBianco Vice President Tender Care PPEC

My name is Carla Hesseltine, an elder advocate and Virginia Beach Human Rights Commissioner and I support HB2253. This bill is a crucial step toward implementing intermediate sanctions that will better protect the safety and well-being of nursing home residents in Virginia. From 2018 to 2024, complaints about Virginia’s nursing homes have risen by 59%, reflecting a growing concern about the quality of care provided. Even more troubling is the increasing severity of these complaints, particularly those involving immediate jeopardy to residents’ health and safety. Currently, the tools available to the State Health Commissioner to address violations are limited to: - Suspending or revoking a nursing home’s license, - Imposing civil penalties through the courts, and - Restricting or prohibiting new admissions. While these measures can be effective in severe cases, they are often too extreme or cumbersome to address issues that fall short of full-blown crisis. HB2253 would fill this gap by establishing new, intermediate sanctions for licensed nursing homes that violate state licensure laws and regulations. This is particularly important for situations where there’s no federal requirement in place or when CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) chooses not to act on a cited deficiency. The bill would provide the State Health Commissioner and the Virginia Department of Health with the authority and flexibility to respond swiftly and appropriately to violations, ensuring nursing homes comply with state laws and regulations. It’s important to note that Virginia is the only state in CMS Region 3—comprising Delaware, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—that does not have the authority to impose intermediate sanctions, such as civil monetary penalties. By passing HB2253, Virginia would align itself with neighboring states and take a more proactive approach to addressing deficiencies before they escalate into critical issues. This bill is about more than just enforcement; it’s about ensuring there’s a clear mechanism for requiring corrective actions in a timely manner. It’s a commitment to improving the quality of care in our nursing homes and keeping residents safe from harm. Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to vote “yes” on HB2253 to take this important step toward strengthening protections for Virginia’s nursing home residents.

My name is Carla Hesseltine, an elder advocate and Va Beach Human Rights Commissioner and I strongly support House Bill 2255. Virginia ranks 50th nationally in completing required recertification surveys on time. Currently, 33% of our nursing homes are overdue for state licensure inspections, and 71% are overdue for federal certification surveys. Complaints have surged by 59%, and our nursing homes rank 32nd in the nation for health deficiencies. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for action. Despite worsening conditions, licensure fees have remained stagnant, leaving the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) underfunded and unable to adequately enforce regulations or ensure nursing home safety. The current fee, set at $1.50 per bed with a $500 cap, hasn’t increased in nearly 50 years. This outdated rate no longer covers program costs. HB2255 authorizes the State Board of Health to establish a fee schedule that reflects the actual costs of operating the Hospital and Nursing Home Licensure and Inspection Program. This would ensure inspections are completed on time, reduce complaints, address health deficiencies, and strengthen regulatory enforcement. Passing this bill is essential to improving the quality of care in Virginia’s nursing homes. Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue.

Dear Delegates, My name is Jacqueline Goodrum, and I write today to urge you to support HB2300. As an environmental attorney and Albemarle County resident, I am concerned about the potential presence of toxic PFAS chemicals in my drinking water. My family owns a 20 acre parcel in rural, southern Albemarle County and we rely on well water for our drinking water. Presently, there is no requirement (from EPA or DEQ or VDH) that private wells be tested for PFAS; PFAS testing is not included in our annual water testing unless we pay extra for it. We are not alone in wondering what toxic chemicals could be in our drinking water that we don't know about. According to a study by the Center for Progressive Reform, 1.7 million Virginians rely on private well systems as their drinking water source. 1.7 million Virginians, my family included, are excluded from current water quality testing regimes that aim to protect public health. HB2300 seeks to remedy this problem. First, HB2300 aims to make PFAS testing and treatment for private wells accessible by creating a fund to help rural landowners cover the cost of testing and treatment if contamination is found. (Delegate Campbell has offered Amendment 280#1h to provide $2.0 million in the 2026 budget for this fund.) Moreover, by providing for PFAS testing for private wells, HB2300 helps collect important data on the extent of PFAS contamination across all drinking water sources, public and private, in Virginia. For these reasons, I urge you to support HB2300. Thank you.

Comments Document

On behalf of the R Street Institute, we urge your support of HB2319. Please see the attached long form testimony in support.

Comments Document

On behalf of the R Street Institute, I urge you to support of HB2319, a measure that will both save lives and help combat the overdose crisis related to illicit drugs. I have attached my long form testimony for your review and consideration as well.

Public Comment in Support of HB 2446 Mr. Chairman and Members of the House Committee, Good afternoon. My name is Edwuan Whitehead, Vice President of the Injustice Reform Network, and I strongly support HB 2446, the Postpartum Depression Education Act. Postpartum depression affects one in seven women, yet awareness and treatment remain dangerously inadequate. Even Queen Victoria struggled with severe postpartum depression, describing motherhood as overwhelming and isolating. If one of history’s most powerful women suffered in silence, imagine the reality for countless mothers today—especially those without access to proper care. The DSM-5 fails to fully recognize postpartum depression, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and unnecessary suffering. HB 2446 would establish a public awareness campaign through the Virginia Department of Health, ensuring early detection and intervention. This is particularly critical for Black, Indigenous, and other mothers of color, who experience higher rates of postpartum depression but face greater barriers to care due to systemic inequities and lack of culturally competent healthcare. Untreated postpartum depression endangers both parent and child, increasing risks of neglect and, in extreme cases, maternal suicide. If we are serious about maternal and infant health, we must treat postpartum mental health as a public health priority. I urge you to support and advance HB 2446. Thank you.

HB2616 was unanimously passed out of the subcommittee on Tuesday and supported by the entire committee, we would greatly appreciate your support as it moves through the Appropriations Committee this afternoon. Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council (TEMS) provides EMS support for 10 local governments in Southeastern Virginia, and TEMS was just recently recognized with a Joint Resolution for providing service to the Commonwealth for over 50 Years! Regional Councils are listed in the Code of Virginia under 32.1-111.11 and provide a vital role in ensuring regional EMS delivery system is provided in a high quality and effective manner for the Commonwealth. TEMS Council is a non-profit organization that only receives a portion of our funding from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), but is critical for our sustainability. VDH’s plan is to terminate all 11 EMS Councils and replace them with 4 – 5 State Offices that are not able to attract funding from other sources threatens the services that we currently provide. A great example of this is TEMS Whole Blood program that is being delivered by EMS agencies in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. This program has reduced traumatic injury death; patients that receive a blood transfusion by EMS have a 73% chance of surviving to hospital discharge. The creation of state offices only requires more money for state offices and adding state employees to payroll and benefits. TEMS receives $475,000 from VDH-OEMS but has an operating budget of roughly $2,000,000. This plan is not supported by the non-profit EMS Councils including TEMS Council. We are asking that you support HB2616 (Regional Emergency Medical Services Councils) to ensure EMS Councils exist in the future to provide the necessary services that our EMS agencies require to successfully fulfill our mission of reducing mortality and morbidity.

We need more training for youth and adults on basic understanding of mental health and mental illness, however, I'm not sure why we need to develop a new program when the nationally recognized Mental Health First Aid curriculum has been around for many years. It is evidence-based and already used in many Virginia schools, helping staff and students spot warning signs of mental distress. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ There are other models out there as well. We need more people to receive training and increase public awareness, so we support the intent, and perhaps there are other reasons for a new program that we are not aware of.

Comments Document

Letter in support of HB 2742, increasing fentanyl screening