Diagnostic Breast Imaging Coverage Bill will have a hearing in Committee tomorrow
 
VBCF believes no one should have to pay expensive out-of-pocket costs to find out if they have breast cancer. HR 1243 was introduced in the General Assembly last week by Delegate Delores McQuinn (D-70th) and would eliminate the high out-of-pocket costs that many patients have to pay for breast cancer diagnostic imaging - including diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). For more information about the bill see VBCF's one-page fact sheet.

Things are moving fast!
HR 1243 will be heard in the House Commerce and Energy Committee tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, January 27th. We need VBCF advocates to show their support for this bill ASAP!!

ACTION NEEDED by Noon tomorrow, Jan 27th

1) Email Delegate McQuinn at DelDMcQuinn@house.virginia.gov.
Your message can be simple: "Thank you for sponsoring HB1243 that 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. Delegate McQuinn can refer to these emails when speaking at the Committee.

2) Call or Email your Legislator if they are on the House Commerce and Energy Committee (list and contact information below)
Again, your message can be simple: "I am calling/writing as a constituent of Delegate [insert name] to express my support for HB1243. This bill would protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRI. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer are essential to ensuring better health outcomes. Eliminating expensive financial barriers to accessing diagnostic breast imaging can help save lives." Add something personal about your own experience, if you'd like.

3) Provide brief written comments in support of HR1243
VBCF will speak at the meeting in support of the bill. You can also help by submitting a brief personal statement/comments about why you support the bill and these comments are shared with all the Committee members. To submit comments go to: https://hodspeak.house.virginia.gov/submit_testimony?meeting_id=10729 and click on the box: '"Provide Written Comments"

2022 House of Delegates Commerce and Energy Committee Members
District # Capitol Phone Email
Chair Kathy J. Byron 22nd (804) 698-1022 DelKByron@house.virginia.gov
Vice Chair Terry G. Kilgore 1st (804) 698-1001 DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov
R. Lee Ware 65th (804) 698-1065 DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
Daniel W. Marshall III 14th (804) 698-1014 DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov
Israel D. O'Quinn 5th (804) 698-1005 DelIOquinn@house.virginia.gov
Margaret B. Ransone 99th (804) 698-1099 DelMRansone@house.virginia.gov
Michael J. Webert 18th (804) 698-1018 DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov
Tony O. Wilt 26th (804) 698-1026 DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov
Christopher T. Head 17th (804) 698-1017 DelCHead@house.virginia.gov
Leslie R. (Les) Adams 16th (804) 698-1016 DelLAdams@house.virginia.gov
Joseph P. McNamara 8th (804) 698-1008 DelJMcNamara@house.virginia.gov
Amanda E. Batten 96th (804) 698-1096 DelABatten@house.virginia.gov
Jeion A. Ward 92nd (804) 698-1092 DelJWard@house.virginia.gov
Mark L. Keam 35th (804) 698-1035 DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov
Kaye Kory 38th (804) 698-1038 DelKKory@house.virginia.gov
Lamont Bagby 74th (804) 698-1074 DelLBagby@house.virginia.gov
Michael P. Mullin 93rd (804) 698-1093 DelMMullin@house.virginia.gov
Alfonso H. Lopez 49th (804) 698-1049 DelALopez@house.virginia.gov
Richard C. (Rip) Sullivan Jr.48th (804) 698-1048 DelRSullivan@house.virginia.gov
Elizabeth R. Guzman 31st (804) 698-1031 DelEGuzman@house.virginia.gov
Gwendolyn W. (Wendy)Gooditis10th (804) 698-1010 DelWGooditis@house.virginia.gov
Don L.Scott Jr. 80th (804) 698-1080 DelDScott@house.virginia.gov

Don't know who your legislator is: Who's My Legislator?

THANK YOU!! Questions, contact Kirsta Millar, Policy Manager at kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.
Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation
www.vbcf.org | 1-800-345-8223