2011 Legislative Agenda
2011 Legislative Priorities
Reinstate 4% Medicaid Provider Cuts
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Cuts are especially difficult for pediatricians to bear since children are over 70% of Medicaid patients.
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The proposed 4% state cuts combined with cuts on the Federal level and unanticipated cuts from Medicaid HMOs have virtually eliminated any of the stop gap gains made to maintain access.
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A 2010 Chapter survey indicated if Medicaid payments were reduced by 5% or less, 38% will limit the number of Medicaid patients, 17% will stop accepting Medicaid patients and 8% will stop participating in Medicaid altogether.
Combat Childhood Obesity Support HB 1644/SB 966
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Support legislation to require daily physical education, averaging 150 minutes per week, for all children K-8. (HB 1644 O’Bannon and SB 966 Northam)
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Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight adults, increasing their risk for chronic disease, disability and death.
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In Virginia, only 9% of elementary schools provide daily physical education, 28% offer PE 2 days/week and 22% offer it 1 day/week.
Immunizations Oppose HB 1419
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Oppose efforts to repeal the HPV vaccine. (HB 1419 Byron).
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The current mandate is completely open. No one is forced to get this vaccine- three years ago Virginia enacted a very lenient parental opt out policy and we believe that is the policy that should stand.
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The mandate is, at its heart, a matter of access and equality. The mandate levels the playing field by ensuring that everyone, especially our most vulnerable patients, has access to it.
Autism Support HB 2467/SB 1062
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Support legislation to provide medically necessary treatment to children diagnosed with ASD from ages 2-6 years.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder is a medicaldiagnosis. It is a genetically based, neuro developmental disorder that requires diagnosis by physicians and a specific and individualized prescription for medical management to address neurologic deficits.
Scope of Practice Oppose HB 2487
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Oppose HB 2487 (Kilgore) that requires the Board of Medicine to license and regulate naturopaths.
Maintain Access to Care
During a time when families are making less money and more children are eligible for FAMIS or Medicaid, we must maintain payments to physicians at current rates.
Support SB 266 (Whipple) to increase the eligibility level for FAMIS from 200% to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level. This change in eligibility will reach 5,000 more uninsured children.
Support budget amendment items to reverse the closure of the children’s mental health facilities in Staunton and Marion, the only safety net for children in crisis. Item 132 24h (Carrico), Item 132 25h (R Bell), Item 309 3s (Hanger), Item 309 2s (Wampler)
Oppose any cuts in eligibility or outreach for Medicaid/FAMIS.
Preserve Physician-Centered Medical Home
Oppose SB 263 (Whipple) which removes physician supervision requirements for Nurse Practitioners and allows independent practice under the Board of Nursing.
Combat Childhood Obesity
Support legislation to require schools to serve healthy foods in the cafeteria and vending machines. (HB 1067 Athey) (SB 210 Barker) (SB 414 Vogel).
Immunizations
Oppose efforts to weaken the immunization statute, including efforts to create a “philosophical” exemption for vaccinations. (HB 189 Purkey).
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