
Update!
Just a quick update that due to many delays yesterday in the State Senate, our bill, SB1238 was not heard in the Commerce and Labor Committee after all. It should be on the agenda for Monday, January 27th now so stay tuned!
Also, you have more time if you have not had a chance to reach out to your legislators on that committee to urge their support – see below. Action is now needed by Noon on January 27th. Thank you!
Unanimous House Committee Support for HB1828
We’re thrilled to share that during our State Advocacy Day, the full House Labor and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to report HB1828 to Appropriations. This bipartisan support is another big step forward for the bill! Stay tuned for updates on how you can advocate for the bill in the Appropriations Committee.
Immediate Action Required: Senate Side Focus
SB1238, the Senate companion bill to HB1828, will be heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee tomorrow afternoon, January 24th. To ensure its passage, we need your help before NOON tomorrow!
Why SB1238 Matters
SB1238 eliminates high out-of-pocket costs—like co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles—for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. This includes:
- Diagnostic mammography
- Ultrasound
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
By removing financial barriers, the bill ensures that no one faces the impossible choice between their health and their finances, promoting early detection and saving lives.
How You Can Help
1. Contact Your Legislator by Noon Tomorrow
If your legislator serves on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, call or email them in the morning using this message:
Sample Message
“I am calling/writing as a constituent of Senator [insert name] from [insert city/town] to ask them to support SB1238. This bill would protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging. SB1238 ensures no one faces the impossible choice between their health and finances. It will help ensure earlier detection of breast cancer and save lives.” [Feel free to add a personal experience.]
2. Email Senator Durant
Senator Durant is the bill sponsor and will be presenting it in committee. Your email can be simple:
Sample Message
“Thank you for sponsoring SB1238, which will help protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs to find out if they have breast cancer.” [Feel free to include a personal experience.]
2025 Senate Commerce & Labor Committee Members
Here is the contact information for committee members. If your legislator is listed, please reach out to them:
- Senator Bagby | (804) 698-7514 | senatorbagby@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Deeds (Chair) | (804) 698-7511 | senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator DeSteph | (804) 698-7520 | senatordesteph@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Ebbin | (804) 698-7539 | senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Locke | (804) 698-7523 | senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Lucas | (804) 698-7518 | senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Marsden | (804) 698-753 | senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator McDougle | (804) 698-7526 | senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator McPike | (804) 698-7529 | senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Obenshain | (804) 698-7502 | senatorobenshain@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Peake | (804) 698-7508 | senatorpeake@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Reeves | (804) 698-7522 | senatorrouse@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Stanley | (804) 698-7507 | senatorstanley@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Surovell | (804) 698-7534 | senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov
Not sure who your legislator is? Use the Who’s My Legislator? tool to find out.
Questions?
Contact Kirsta Millar at kirsta@vbcf.org or (804) 285-1200 ext. 203 for more information.