Comments Document

Council for Responsible Nutrition HB1585 Opposition Statement attached. Thank you for your consideration.

Comments Document

Written Testimony of Sydney Berkley George Mason University Student My name is Sydney Berkley, and I am a college freshman at George Mason University. I grew up in Burke, Virginia. I am here today to share my personal experience as a minor who developed a toxic relationship with diet pills and urge you to vote in favor of bill HB1585. As a teenager, I struggled deeply with self-worth and body image. In an attempt to find a solution, I began taking over-the-counter diet pills. I would order these pills online or buy them in stores such as particularly from platforms like Amazon as well as stores like Target and Walmart, without any oversight or safeguards in place. I thought these pills would help me feel better about myself, but instead, they led me down a dangerous path. One particularly horrifying incident stands out. I purchased a diet pill called Mini Thin from Amazon in August 2022 when I was 15. I didn’t read the reviews completely but decided that Mini Thins was a solution to my problems. I took the pill and a few minutes later I experienced extreme heart palpitations. I was at home and at that moment, I genuinely thought I was going to die. I was afraid to tell my parents and I debated calling 911. I laid in bed till it stopped which felt like forever but may have been a mere few minutes. It was a terrifying experience that could have been avoided if protections were in place to stop minors from accessing these substances. Throughout this period, I was also constantly weighing myself and obsessing over my physical appearance. These behaviors were destructive, and they were worsened by the easy access to diet pills and the lack of safeguards to protect me from my own dangerous decisions. Looking back, I wish there had been mechanisms to protect me—whether from my parents, the sellers of these pills, or regulations enforced by the state. These protections could have prevented me from purchasing over-the-counter diet pills and shielded me from the harm they caused. I hope my testimony sheds light on the critical need for stricter regulations and safeguards to prevent minors from accessing potentially dangerous substances. No young person should have to endure the physical and emotional harm I experienced. I urge you to vote in favor of HB1585. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.

Comments Document

My name is Erina Haque, and I am an 18 year-old high school senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, VA. I have been leading the Virginia initiative to pass HB1585 as a Youth Corps member and the Virginia State Captain for the Harvard-based Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED). Attached is my reasoning for why you should vote affirmatively for HB1585, based on my personal experiences with body image and witnessing the dangerous effects of over-the-counter weight loss and muscle building supplements on youth.

Comments Document

The attached packet outlines the science behind why these over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements are so dangerous for children, including our latest research on the economics behind the bill, inequities associated with the usage of these products, and more. We also included two testimonies from the STRIPED Director and Program Coordinator.

Wish you'd have a link that shows the bill on this site. Can't seem to find the bills anywhere! But anything involving sewage should be run past a health dept. (I used to be a health inspector for sewage systems, among other duties as an inspector). All sewage should meet guidelines as to not cause any detriment to our water supplies. Any replacement of anything should be to code.

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.

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.

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.

Comments Document

Letter in support of HB 2742, increasing fentanyl screening