Health care provider panels; vertically integrated carriers; reimbursements to providers. Requires any vertically integrated carrier, upon written request, to offer participation in each requested provider panel or network established for each of the vertically integrated carrier's policies, products, and plans, including all policies, products, and plans offered to individuals, employers, and enrollees in government benefit programs, to the requesting provider under the same terms and conditions that apply to providers under common control with the vertically integrated carrier. The measure requires that the offered participation (i) be without any adverse tiering or other financial incentives that may discourage enrollees from utilizing the services of the provider, (ii) include all sites and services offered by the provider, and (iii) take into account the different characteristics of different providers with regard to the range, nature, cost, and complexity of services offered. The measure prohibits an officer or director of a vertically integrated carrier from simultaneously serving as an officer or director of an entity that owns, operates, manages, or controls an acute care hospital located, in whole or in part, in the Commonwealth. The measure defines "vertically integrated carrier" as a health insurer or other carrier that owns an interest in, is owned by, or is under common ownership or control with an acute care hospital facility, excluding an entity that is under the ultimate control of or under common control with a public hospital.
Sponsored bills
Virginia Attorney Disciplinary Commission; established.Establishes the Virginia Attorney Disciplinary Commission in thelegislative branch of state government for the purpose of holdingdisciplinary hearings initiated by the Virginia State Bar againstan attorney for a violation of the Virginia Rules of ProfessionalConduct or Unauthorized Practice Rules that would be the basis fora sanction to be imposed against such attorney and grants the Commissionthe power to hold issue sanctions against such attorney. The billtransfers any existing authority to discipline attorneys from theVirginia State Bar to the Commission.
Civil actions; standing. Provides that aperson in a civil action shall be deemed to have standing if thatperson has a cognizable interest in the outcome of the matter, whichmay be represented by the ownership of an affected property interestor the suffering of an injury unique to that individual.
Teacher Training Corps; report. Establishesthe Teacher Training Corps for the purpose of attracting and retainingpublic elementary and secondary school teachers in school divisions in the Commonwealth by awarding scholarships to students who obtainteaching degrees and certifications at participating institutionsand requiring such students to fill teacher positions for specifiedperiods of time at high-needs schools, as defined in the bill, andmeet other requirements. The bill also establishes the Teacher TrainingCorps Scholarship Fund and Program for the purpose of funding suchscholarships at the participating institutions of Longwood University,Norfolk State University, Radford University, and Virginia CommonwealthUniversity. Finally, the bill establishes the 12-member Teacher TrainingCorps Commission to administer the Teacher Training Corps ScholarshipProgram and directs the Commission to begin meeting on or after September1, 2022, establish the parameters for the Program, and award thefirst scholarships pursuant to the Program prior to the beginningof the 2023-2024 academic year.
Campaign finance; prohibited contributionsto candidates. Prohibits candidates, campaign committees, andpolitical committees from soliciting or accepting contributions fromany public utility, as defined in the bill, and prohibits any publicutility or any political committee established by such public utilityfrom making any such contribution.
Commending Clyde E. Cristman.
Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established; drug cost affordability review. Establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board for the purpose of protecting state residents, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the Commonwealth, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. The bill directs the Governor to appoint members and alternate members of the Board. The Board is required to meet in open session at least four times annually, with certain exceptions and requirements. Members of the Board are required to disclose any conflicts of interest, as described in the bill. The bill also creates a stakeholder council for the purpose of assisting the Board in making decisions related to drug cost affordability. The Board is tasked with identifying prescription, generic, and other drugs, as defined in the bill, and, in the Board's discretion, conducting an affordability review of the prescription drug product. Factors for the Board to consider that indicate an affordability challenge are listed in the bill. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board may request an appeal of the Board's decision, as provided in the bill, and the Attorney General shall have authority to enforce the provisions of the bill.The bill also creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Fund to be used for funding operations of the Board and reimbursing other state agencies for implementing the provisions of the bill. The Board is required to report to the General Assembly twice annually, beginning on July 1, 2023, and December 1, 2023.Provisions of the bill shall apply to state-sponsored and state-regulated health plans and health programs and obligate such policies to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount set by the Board, if applicable, following an affordability review. Medicare Part D plans shall not be bound by such decisions of the Board.The bill contains a severability clause and has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023.
Commending George Mason University.
Celebrating the life of Thomas Michael Simcoe.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable ThomasAnthony Fortkort.