Dear Democratic Party and Democratic Socialist Party, It is shameful that there is not a fiscal budget yet. The lack of leadership on all levels is not surprising given the disastrous results under the Biden administration and Democrats under former Governor Northam. Why are you making mistakes like California, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, Maine, Illinois and New York? Help us God!

Members of the House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care: Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding rural and small-town healthcare in Virginia. My name is Dr. Aariyana Britton, and I am a public health professional and Community Health Worker serving rural communities in Virginia. I would also like to express my appreciation to the House for including funding for the Midwifery Work Group in the recently released budget (Item 295, Paragraph 9h). Midwives play an important role in expanding access to maternal healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities where workforce shortages and provider access remain significant challenges. Continued investment in collaborative efforts to strengthen and support the maternal health workforce is an important step toward improving outcomes for mothers, babies, and families across the Commonwealth. Through my work and lived experience in rural Virginia, I regularly see the challenges that residents face when seeking healthcare. Transportation barriers, workforce shortages, limited access to specialty care, and social and economic factors continue to affect the health and well-being of individuals and families across our communities. These challenges are especially evident in maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, behavioral health, and preventive care. While many rural communities demonstrate tremendous resilience, access to healthcare services often depends on geography, available transportation, and provider availability. I encourage the Committee to continue supporting innovative and community-driven solutions, including investments in the healthcare workforce, Community Health Workers, cross-sector partnerships, and strategies that address the social drivers of health. Sustainable improvements in rural health require collaboration across healthcare, education, transportation, economic development, and community organizations. Thank you for your commitment to strengthening healthcare access and improving health outcomes for rural Virginians. I appreciate your leadership and your continued focus on the unique needs of rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. Respectfully, Dr. Aariyana Britton