Quick Report on the Outcome of HB230

Thanks to all of you who took action in the last few days to help support HB230 - a bill that would eliminate patient out-of-pocket costs for follow-up breast imaging like diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, and MRIs. Here is a quick report on the results of the hearing on the bill that happened yesterday afternoon at the Virginia General Assembly.

HB230 was heard in the House Labor and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee #1. VBCF, along with several of our advocates who were attending State Advocacy Day, were able to testify in support of the bill. The bill's Chief Patron, Delegate Simonds, spoke impassionedly about the need to get this bill passed ASAP! However, in Virginia, all bills related to changes in health insurance coverage must go to something called the Health Insurance Reform Commission (HIRC) for review before being considered by the House of Delegates.

Del. Simonds asked the subcommittee to recommend that HB230 is sent to HIRC with a request for an expedited review process. The hope is that a quick review by the HIRC later this year would mean the bill could be brought back in the 2025 General Assembly to get a vote for passage. The subcommittee members unanimously voted for this recommendation! So, now the full Labor and Committee will consider the bill with this recommendation. (In almost all cases, the full Committee takes the subcommittee's recommendation). We will keep you posted if there is any need to take further action. 

Once the members of HIRC are chosen, VBCF will work to educate them about the need and importance of passing HB230. We will call upon you to help us, so please stay tuned! For more information about the bill, see VBCF's HB230 Fact Sheet

2024 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day

We had a very successful State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day yesterday, and I'll be sharing more details and photos soon. Thank you to all the advocates who participated in our first in-person day at the General Assembly since 2020! What a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers! 💕