The 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session wrapped up on February 22, 2025, after a fast-paced but impactful session. Lawmakers introduced nearly 2,500 bills, alongside intense negotiations on amendments to the Commonwealth’s two-year budget.
Now, all bills that passed both the House and Senate move to Governor Youngkin for review. He has until March 24, 2025, to approve, veto, or propose amendments. On April 2, 2025, the General Assembly will reconvene for a “veto session” to consider the Governor’s decisions.
VBCF is thrilled to share that our top legislative priorities saw successful outcomes! Our team and dedicated advocates were highly engaged throughout the session—meeting with legislators, testifying at key committee hearings, and mobilizing nearly 30 volunteer breast cancer advocates during our 2025 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day.
Read on to learn more about VBCF’s key legislative victories, along with updates on other critical healthcare bills from this session.
HB1828 / SB1436: Eliminating Out-of-Pocket Costs for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Imaging
Outcome: Passed! Sent to Governor for Signature
These bills, sponsored by Delegate Shelly Simonds (70th, Newport News) and Senator Russett Perry (31st, Loudoun), passed both the House and Senate chambers with unanimous support. This success is the result of over three years of dedicated advocacy by VBCF, our partners, and volunteer advocates.
If signed by the Governor, this legislation will eliminate all co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging—including diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs—for insurance plans regulated by the Commonwealth. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026.
VBCF will release guidance on the bill’s implementation once it is officially signed into law.
📢 Want to learn more? Check out our Fact Sheet.
👉 Media Coverage: Check out our Press Releases & Media Coverage.
HB1725: Protecting Virginians from Medical Debt
Outcome: Passed! Sent to Governor for Signature
Sponsored by Delegate Karrie Delaney (9th, Fairfax County), this bill protects Virginians from predatory medical debt collection practices. If signed by the Governor, it will:
✅ Cap interest and late fees on medical debt at 3% per year (beginning after a 90-day grace period).
✅ Prohibit liens and foreclosures on all real and personal property, ensuring that patients’ homes and assets remain protected.
✅ Prohibit wage garnishment for patients who qualify for financial assistance.
Medical debt is a critical issue in Virginia—especially for cancer patients. Nearly half (47%) of cancer patients and survivors report experiencing medical debt due to their treatment costs.
VBCF worked alongside the Fair Healthcare VA Coalition—a network of 18 patient advocacy groups—to help pass HB1725. This bill builds on bipartisan efforts to ban medical bill credit reporting, which was successfully passed earlier in 2024.
Other Key Legislation
SB1379: Cancer Research & Clinical Trial Consortium
Outcome: Passed! Sent to Governor for Signature
Sponsored by Senator Lashrecse Aird (13th, Henrico/Petersburg/Hopewell), this bill establishes the Research and Clinical Trial Cancer Consortium Initiative to coordinate and enhance cancer research efforts across Virginia. Participating institutions include:
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at VCU
- University of Virginia Medical Center
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center, Old Dominion University
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
- Hampton University
The initiative will streamline collaboration between these institutions to improve cancer research and treatment access across the Commonwealth.
HB2531: Paid Family and Medical Leave
Outcome: Passed! Sent to Governor for Signature
VBCF applauds the passage of this crucial bill, which will provide essential support for breast cancer patients and their families. Sponsored by Delegate Briana Sewell (25th, Prince William), the bill allows workers to:
✅ Receive up to 80% of their pay for up to 12 weeks when taking time off due to a serious health condition or to care for a family member.
✅ Benefit from a new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund, financed by employer contributions and payroll deductions—similar to state unemployment benefits.
Budget Amendments: What Didn’t Make the Final Budget
Item 279 #16h: Cancer Coalition of Virginia (CACV) Funding
⛔ Outcome: Not included in the final budget
Sponsored by Delegate Delores McQuinn (81st, Eastern Henrico), this amendment sought funding to implement the Virginia Cancer Plan—a statewide effort to reduce cancer’s impact through prevention, early detection, and treatment.
VBCF remains committed to this initiative as a leading member of CACV and the Virginia Breast Cancer Roundtable.
Item 288 #20s: Expanding Emergency Medicaid to Include Cancer Treatment
⛔ Outcome: Not included in the final budget
Sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds (11th, Charlottesville), this amendment aimed to expand Emergency Medicaid to cover cancer treatment services for uninsured individuals ineligible for Medicaid due to immigration status.
Currently, Emergency Medicaid only covers:
🚑 Labor & delivery
🚑 Emergency surgeries
🚑 ER visits
Expanding coverage to cancer treatment would be a crucial step toward healthcare equity in Virginia.
VBCF will continue advocating for policies that support all Virginians affected by breast cancer.
