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Expanded telehealth services are ‘here to stay’ in Virginia as public health emergency ends
As the federal public health emergency spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic expires this May, so will waivers that expanded the amount of health care services patients can access through telehealth. But Virginia officials say most of the services the waivers allowed, such as being able to have virtual appointments instead of in-person visits at a […]
Internal ABC emails show counter-service store conversions may be less certain than indicated
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority told the Mercury last December it has plans to modernize all of its stores, including converting its three remaining counter-service locations – stores where all products are kept behind a counter shielded with a protective barrier – to standard self-service ones. But internal emails from the authority recently obtained […]
Virginia expanded dental coverage under Medicaid — but not enough dentists accept it
Lillian Hamilton, a Virginia Medicaid enrollee and 21-year-old tattoo shop manager from Hampton Roads, is still trying to get her wisdom teeth removed after years of living with a constantly swollen jaw, the pain from which has resulted in multiple visits to the emergency room. Hamilton said every time she tries to schedule an appointment […]
Bill to require additional proof of age for porn sites in Virginia heads to Youngkin’s desk
Virginia lawmakers recently passed a bill with near-unanimous support that would require pornograpy websites to more stringently verify whether a person is 18 before allowing them access to the site. However, some say the legislation raises data privacy concerns while doing little to keep minors out of pornographic websites. Under the bill, verifying the age […]
Three interesting bills: selling children, ‘swatting’ penalties and regulating vape products
Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this occasional series, the Mercury takes a look at a few of the proposals that might not otherwise make headlines during the whirlwind legislative session. House Bill 1669: Creating a felony charge for purchasing or selling children This bill from Del. Mike Cherry, […]
As fentanyl surges, Virginia lawmakers debate how far criminal penalties should go
With drug overdoses now the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, lawmakers and experts agree solutions are needed to address the devastation caused by fentanyl, the drug involved in more than three-quarters of those deaths. “Fentanyl is killing more Virginians than gun crimes and traffic accidents together,” said Sen. Ryan McDougle, […]
Three interesting bills of the week: housing authority pets, CCTV testimony and inmate autopsies
Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this occasional series, the Mercury takes a look at a few of the proposals that might not otherwise make headlines during the whirlwind legislative session. Senate Bill 1384: Allowing tenants in housing authority properties to own dogs or cats This legislation by Sen. […]
Study: Dental care rose among low-income pregnant women after 2015 Medicaid change
More pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid are getting dental care after a 2015 change in state regulations that expanded Virginia Medicaid coverage. A new study from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry and Business found Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women who self-reported having dental insurance jumped from 44.4% to 71.6% between 2013-14 and 2016-19, the three-year period […]
Three interesting bills of the week: menstrual health data, spying and K-9s in schools
Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this occasional series, the Mercury takes a look at a few of the proposals that might not otherwise make headlines during the whirlwind legislative session. Senate Bill 852: Prohibiting search warrants for menstrual health data This legislation by Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, would […]
Mid-session update: what’s still alive and what’s dead (or on the way there)
Virginia lawmakers aren’t agreeing on much these days, but 93 of 100 members of the House of Delegates could at least find common ground on which Virginia pony is the best pony. “It is time the Commonwealth pony up, and give Chincoteague heritage the recognition it deserves,” Del. Rob Bloxom, R-Accomack, said last week. He […]
Three interesting bills of the week: implicit bias training, geriatric parole and furloughed feds
Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this occasional series, the Mercury takes a look at a few of the proposals that might not otherwise make headlines during the whirlwind legislative session. House Bill 1734 – Implicit bias training for practitioners working with pregnant persons This legislation from Del. Chris […]
Virginia lawmakers ask for study on requiring insurers to cover doula care
Two bills that would have required private insurers in Virginia to provide coverage for state-certified doula care were unanimously struck down last week by lawmakers in both chambers, who instead requested a study of the proposal. The bills will now go before the Senate Health Insurance Reform Commission, which is charged with studying mandated health […]