House Bill 1828, a bill to stop health care providers from imposing cost-sharing on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, passed unanimously in the House and Senate. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. By @brookelindberg.bsky.social Read more: www.henricocitizen.com/bill-elimina...

Rae Pickett, planned parenthood’s director of communications spoke as a guest speaker at Virginia 50501’s movement March 4th Democracy. “These lawmakers are supposed to help the communities they serve,” Pickett said. The crowd chanted “Shame on them.” @vcucns.bsky.social

The Virginia 50501’s movement March 4th for democracy began at Monroe Park and marched to the Virginia State Capitol Square. As they marched, chants like, “where is congress, do your job” and “fight for our rights” were heard throughout the crowd. @vcucns.bsky.social

Soon, more info will flow from the Health Dept., to educate and train hospital staff and health care providers on menstrual health disorders. The patron said it's a critical step forward to improving conditions that impact countless Virginians. www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/bill-to...

Check out Capsters @sarah-hagen.bsky.social and @andrewkerley.bsky.social on the @vpm.org podcast “RVA’s Got Issues” — talking about why journalism matters to them and what type of work they do in the VCUCNS program. open.spotify.com/episode/5prF...

VA House Bill 1609 update: Requires the Health Insurance Reform Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. House agreed to Senate amendment on Feb. 19, that strikes lines 24, 25 and 26 of the bill. Read more: lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...

VA House Bill 2611 update: Prohibits the imposition of deductibles, coinsurance or cost sharing on cancer follow-up testing. Introduced by Del. Holly M. Seibold was Left in House Labor and Commerce committee on Feb. 5 Read more: lis.virginia.gov/bill-details... @vcucns.bsky.social

VA House Bill 1904 update: Allows midwives and nurse practitioners to be on 24 hour on call services directed by the Department of Health to amend its regulations. Passed both chambers unanimously. Read more: lis.virginia.gov/bill-details... @vcucns.bsky.social

VA House Bill 2531 update: Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to establish and administer a paid family and medical leave insurance program with benefits. Awaiting signature from Gov. Youngkin Read more: lis.virginia.gov/bill-details... @vcucns.bsky.social

Tuesday, Feb. 18, a press conference was held about SB854 and its duplicate bill HB1624, which was left in committee. SB854 was introduced by Sen. VanValkenburg and prohibits social media platforms from giving addictive feeds to a child younger than 18 years old. @vcucns.bsky.social

Legislation to help offset the increasing costs of drought insurance didn't survive this session. There was a 27% increase in farmers’ use of this type of insurance from 2023-2024, says patron Sen. Timmy French, R-Shenandoah. Reporting by @coraperkinss.bsky.social⤵️ www.rappnews.com/news/agricul...

The costs of diagnostic and supplemental screenings for abnormal mammograms are often passed to the consumer. But a bill that cleared the General Assembly today aims to eliminate these charges. Reporting by @brookelindberg.bsky.social ⤵️ www.henricocitizen.com/bill-elimina...

10:30am today, a press conference with REPRO Rising Virginia was held as today was their reproductive freedom day of action at the Capitol. “There is currently a war on women,” Sen. Carroll Foy said. HB1716 and SB1105 establish a right to obtain and engage in contraceptives. @vcucns.bsky.social

This morning, the Senate Education and Health committee heard around 130 bills. Including, HB2742, which requires hospitals with an emergency department to include testing for fentanyl when conducting a urine drug screening. @vcucns.bsky.social

On Monday, January 10th at 11:30am, All The Saints Theater Company organized the Solidarity Trans Youth March. They’re voicing solidarity with trans youth and young adults who have been directly impacted by VCU’s decision to suspend all trans healthcare for individuals under 19. @vcucns.bsky.social

The Senate Courts of Justice met starting at 8:00am, and had 52 bills heard in committee today. One being, HB1728, which allows the court to order a testimony of a child be taken by two-way closed-circuit television if the child is unavailable to testify in open court. @vcucns.bsky.social

This morning, I joined Insight at VCU, the broadcast journalism news show, as an anchor to report on Crossover day. With the help of @vcucns.bsky.social, we heard from both Democratic and Republican leadership in the General Assembly with their reactions to the session so far.

At the Press Conference for medicaid expansion, Sen. Deeds spoke about a budget amendment that he and Sen. Hashmi submitted to remove a trigger law that would end Medicaid expansion if federal funding falls below 90% of the cost to cover the expanded group. @vcucns.bsky.social

At the Senate Education and Health committee this morning, Sen. Jennifer Boyskos bill, SB1133 was reported with amendments with a 7-6-2 vote. This bill requires restaurant and catering operations to put a notice of food containing pork products. @vcucns.bsky.social

Monday, January 27th, the Election Administration Committee heard numerous bills. HB 2445, introduced by Del. Phillip A. Scott, was moved to pass indefinitely by a 5-3 vote. @vcucns.bsky.social

At the press conference regarding HB1699 on Thursday January 23rd, Del. Alex Askew stated “it breaks my heart that in 2025 we’re still having the same debate.” Gov. Youngkin vetoed the bill in 2024. @vcucns.bsky.social

Last Thursday, Gov. Koungkin spoke at a press conference regarding HB2231 along side its patron Del. Mike Cherry. I was able to sit in with my team from @vcucns.bsky.social