More good news & Senate Action Needed ASAP!

Senate Action is Needed ASAP!

We had a wonderful State Advocacy Day today! Our volunteer advocates did an amazing job with their legislator meetings and definitely made an impact helping to secure some more good news! This afternoon, the full House Labor and Commerce Committee voted unanimously to report HB1828 to Appropriations. It's a great sign that we have another unanimous, bipartisan vote in support of the bill! We will send information on how you can help advocate for the bill in Appropriations shortly.

**Now, we must turn our attention to the Senate side bill - and quickly!**

We found out late today that SB1238 (same as HB1828) will be heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee TOMORROW AFTERNOON, January 24th. We need you to take action by NOON tomorrow to support this bill!

Background

HB1828/SB1238 will eliminate the high out-of-pocket costs (co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles) that many patients face when getting follow-up diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging, including diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). For more information about the bill see: HB1828/SB1238 FACT SHEET

ACTION NEEDED by Noon tomorrow, Jan 24st

1) If your Legislator is on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, please call or email them tomorrow morning

(member listing and contact information is below.)

Here is a sample message:

"I am calling/writing as a constituent of Senator [insert name] from [insert city/town] to ask him/her to support SB1238. This bill would protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging. SB1238 ensures that no one faces the impossible choice between their health and their finances. It will help ensure earlier detection of breast cancer and save lives." [Add something personal about your own experience, if you'd like].

2) Email Senator Durant:

Your message can be simple: "Thank you for sponsoring SB1238, which will help protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs to find out if they have breast cancer." Add something personal about your own experience, if you choose. Senator Durant can refer to these emails when speaking at the Committee.

2025 Senate Commerce & Labor Committee Members

Senator Bagby (804)6987514 senatorbagby@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Deeds (804) 698-7511 senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Deeds is the Chair of this Committee

Senator DeSteph (804) 698-7520 senatordesteph@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Ebbin (804) 698-7539 senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Locke (804) 698-7523 senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Lucas (804) 698-7518 senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Marsden (804) 698-753 senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov

Senator McDougle (804) 698-7526 senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov

Senator McPike (804) 698-7529 senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Obenshain (804) 698-7502 senatorobenshain@senate.virginia.gov