My is Andrew K. Stith from Hampton, Virginia. I am here to speak on my personal story or summary on how an unknown, never tested, never let my mother know about that all learning difficulties that I had found in my Jr. year in college while following me in the military to present day life. With hard work, failing courses, taking harsh criticism and people told me that I would not be anything as well make it in college, I completed schools and never quit, drop out of school, went to jail, and still striving to be better day by day. Also, I would like to have some bill to law to give and make sure that all birth medical records and school records should be given to all parents and guardians to pass down to each child and the State of Virginia should have a depository these records for the individual have a chance to to obtain until death. The reason that I am proposing this because the individual should not have go through a treasure hunt to get answers for each individuals owns health, family historical reasons and the hospital and/or the establishment is no long there. I plan writing a story, would like to work with city, state and federal governments and importantly, I would the State of Virginia to work hard and quickly to pass the TBI Bill (Traumatic Brain Injuries) for people who suffer on a daily basis. This covers past, present and future military servicemembers, born and had birth defects, accidents, athletes, and other reasons that has not been stated here. Thank you, Andrew K. Stith

Sent to Lester (Morefield) via house.

Please vote YES for HB1762 which would give people with SSDI but who do not have Medicare yet the ability to have Medicaid. This would benefit people in particular who are on the Medicaid Waiver Waitlist and who do not have any medical coverage. These people with SSDI will eventually after the time period passes be given Medicare coverage. Eventually, these same people would also have access to Medicare. This should be extended to them now when they are in this gap period. Please vote YES for HB1762

Members of the Committee, My name is Ashley Arthur, and I am the Vice President of Market Access and Government Affairs at GeneDx, a national leader in genomic testing for rare diseases. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important legislation. This bill represents an important step forward for Virginia families, and I want to stress the value of incorporating lessons learned from other states to ensure that this program delivers the access and outcomes it promises. GeneDx has been involved in rWGS implementation across the country, and we’ve seen that very well-intentioned programs face operational barriers that limit their effectiveness. To avoid these same challenges, I urge the Committee to address the following key areas: Carve Out rWGS Payment From the Inpatient DRG Model: The DRG payment model bundles payments for all services during an inpatient stay. While it promotes efficiency, it does not account for specialized diagnostics like rWGS. Due to financial uncertainty, hospitals often delay or avoid ordering rWGS without test-specific reimbursement. Explicitly recognizing rWGS as a separately reimbursed service will empower hospitals to order this test based on clinical need rather than financial considerations. Reimbursement Flexibility for Hospitals and Labs: The bill should clarify that rWGS reimbursement can be directed either to the hospital or the performing laboratory, depending on who provides the service. This flexibility ensures operational efficiency and accommodates the partnerships hospitals rely on to access specialized labs like GeneDx. Access Without Prior Authorization: Requiring prior authorization for rWGS in critical care settings creates delays that undermine the purpose of this test. Virginia should ensure that rWGS is exempt from prior authorization, with post-service review used as needed for oversight. Clear Guidance for Managed Medicaid Plans: Inconsistent implementation by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) has been a major barrier in other states, with claims denied due to network issues, coverage misinterpretations, or administrative delays. Either bypassing the MCOs or providing very clear implementation guidance to MCOs will be essential to avoid these issues. The benefits of rWGS are well-documented. In studies like Project Baby Manatee at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, rWGS delivered a diagnosis in 40% of cases, changed medical management in 33% of cases, and saved $75,000 per child tested. When utilization is optimized, these benefits translate to improved child outcomes and significant cost savings for Medicaid. Virginia has the opportunity to lead the nation by designing a comprehensive and effective rWGS program that serves as a model for other states. By carving out reimbursement, simplifying access, and providing operational clarity, this legislation can ensure that every eligible child receives the timely, life-saving diagnosis they deserve. Finally, I want to emphasize GeneDx’s commitment to supporting this process. We look forward to providing the Committee and Virginia Medicaid with any assistance, knowledge, or insights they may need as this legislation becomes law. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Ashley Arthur VP, Market Access, GeneDx

I am a pediatric genetic counselor in Virginia. I am strongly in support of HB 1900. If passed, this legislation will allow me to provide more effective, efficient, economical, and personalized care to our most vulnerable and innocent patients. This legislation will also allow Virginia to provide what is becoming standard of care for this population and will begin the process of advancing coverage by commercial payors.

I am a pediatric genetic counselor in Virginia. I am strongly in support of HB 1900. If passed, this legislation will allow me to provide more effective, efficient, economical, and personalized care to our most vulnerable and innocent patients. This legislation will also allow Virginia to provide what is becoming standard of care for this population and will begin the process of advancing coverage by commercial payors.

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.

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

See attached letter

Comments Document

See attached for Philips comment letter.

CHSVA strongly supports this bill. Virginia has a significant number of youth who have aged out of foster care and need supports as they navigate the transition to adulthood. As an organization that provides services to youth who have aged out of foster care, we have worked with many youth who need some services beyond age 21 to ensure they thrive in adulthood. Many youth who have aged out of foster care have suffered from significant trauma and a lack of resources and tools that would typically help a youth that age navigate early adulthood. Youth who have aged out of foster care deserve a support system just as much as any other youth and this bill will help provide that to them.

In 2011, I was the DSS social worker for a young woman in foster care who turned 18. At that time, there was no extended foster care so the only option for her was a boarding house. On her 18th birthday, she officially exited foster care after never being adopted and was dropped at this boarding house. Over the next 10 years, she experienced homelessness, was trafficked to one of the largest sex trafficking hubs in our country, was incarcerated and was hospitalized. 10 years after she was dropped at the boarding house on her birthday, she was killed and then buried as an indigent person far from her hometown because they couldn’t find her next of kin. Today, her biological sister is still fighting to be considered next of kin so that she can finally have her sister cremated instead of in an unmarked grave at a cemetery without an address. The statistics tell us this kind of story and outcome is sadly more common than what we would like to believe. The more support we can provide to worthy youth aging out of foster care when we can make a sustainable difference in their lives, the better outcomes we will have. While I would like to see a higher level of accountability placed on the Independent Living programs that taxpayers fund for kids in extended foster care and increased resources to fund more child welfare social work positions, any opportunity to support a youth in foster care is one that I stand by.

We have been fortunate to have had our 17 year old foster son with us since he was 14. We were only told that he was nonverbal and suffered from neglect. He was underweight and failing at school. It took several weeks for him to make eye contact or give more than a grunt response. He has come so far in 3 short years- from not knowing how to use silverware, button his pants, tie his shoes or read a clock to having a job and completing his first college course. He is finally beginning to open up emotionally and starting to consider possibilities for his future. Our largest fear is that he will not have constant family support to help him become a stable adult. Ny living with 2 parents, 2 older brothers, a younger sister and younger brother, he is learning how a family works together. He sees how his brothers handle working while going to school. He sees his younger sister and brother play sports and socialize with their friends. He has learned how to cook and contribute to making family meals. These are skills that cannot be memorized; they must be experienced. Like other foster parents, we are trying to squeeze 18 years of parenting and life experiences into 4 short years. We are trying to undo damage that was done and build up a functioning adult who can not only support himself, but contribute to society. He just needs a little more time. There are so many things we have yet to help him with- buy his first car, graduate school, start a career, move into his own home. Please allow him a little more time to continue growing.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia supports HB2102 which would allow pregnant persons to have immediate access to prenatal care avoiding the delay caused by time required for Medicaid paperwork processing. Given the fact that Virginia is one of ten states where more than two-thirds of counties are in a maternity desert and the fact that Virginia is ranked 40th for maternal mortality rate, interventions such as early access to health care seem prudent. We urge you to support HB2102.

I am testifying on behalf of the Justice & Witness Action Network - VA of The United Church of Christ. As Christians, we are committed to achieving racial and economic justice, and we advocate for health care as a right and priority for all people. This bill provides presumptive eligibility for pregnant women (PEPW) and allows for immediate enrollment in Medicaid without waiting up to 45 days for paperwork to be processed. Virginia is ranked 40th for its maternal mortality rate per the Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Scorecard. This bill will encourage better health care and outcomes for mothers and babies in Virginia. We urge you to vote for HB2102. Thank you.

Comments Document

Attached is my statement regarding the need for extended early intervention services