Virginia Cancer Action Center

With crossover day looming, survivor advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are celebrating the passage of Senate Bill 161/House Bill 625 in their respective chambers. The same advocates gathered at the General Assembly earlier this month for ACS CAN’s annual Cancer Action Day to push for the legislation that would require insurers to offer flat-dollar copay-only plans instead of relying solely on coinsurance, which forces patients to pay a percentage of their medication’s cost. If signed by Governor Spanberger, more Virginians will gain more options and encounter fewer surprises when it comes to the cost of their care.

Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin approved legislation to reduce the burden of medical debt on Virginians. The proposal, which was championed by Delegate Karrie Delaney in the Legislature (House Bill 1725), will limit the burden of medical debt by ensuring that interest rates on medical debt are limited to 3% a year, wage garnishment is prohibited for all patients who quality for financial assistance programs and patients’ core financial assets, like their home, are safeguarded.

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1725 with bipartisan support, advancing the effort to reform medical debt collection practices in the Commonwealth. The bill will now go to Governor Youngkin’s desk, providing him the opportunity to limit the burden of medical debt on Virginian families.

Earlier this month, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1828, advancing the bipartisan proposal around breast cancer screening access to Governor Youngkin’s desk. The vote came on the heels of a new report from the American Cancer Society that revealed a shift in the burden