Virginia’s Mental Health Hotline One Year Later
One year later, the 988 system in Virginia has seen “a lot of improvements” but still faces some issues.
Meghan McIntire, Virginia Mercury
Meghan McIntire is a staff member of The Virginia Mercury, an independent, nonprofit online news organization covering state government and policy.
Report: Race, Ethnicity and Address Biggest Predictors of Premature Death in Northern Virginia
A new report this month by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University shows race, ethnicity and neighborhood are the biggest predictors of whether a Northern Virginian will die before reaching the age of 75. Furthermore, those factors had a greater impact on whether people lived or died during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before it.
Ahead of New Age Verification Law, Pornhub Blocks Access in Virginia
Virginians will no longer be able to access Pornhub, one of the internet’s most popular pornography websites, after the company disabled access to the site in the commonwealth in response to a new law going into effect this Saturday.
Over 20,000 Virginians Lose Medicaid Coverage a Month Into Unwinding
Since the start of April, over 20,000 Virginians have lost Medicaid coverage as part of the state’s return to normal enrollment following the end of the COVID-19 federal public health emergency.
For the past three years, anyone who was enrolled in Medicaid was allowed to keep their coverage regardless of whether or not they still met eligibility requirements.
TikTok Trend Spurs Record-Breaking Numbers of Virginians to Cash Out Unclaimed Property
A TikTok trend of people cashing out unclaimed property held by state governments is helping break records in Virginia’s Treasury Department and fill the pockets of Virginians with money they’re rightfully owed.
Expanded Telehealth Services Are ‘Here to Stay’ in Virginia as Public Health Emergency Ends
As the federal public health emergency spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic expires this May, so will waivers that expanded the amount of health care services patients can access through telehealth.
Virginia expanded dental coverage under Medicaid — but not enough dentists accept it
Virginia Medicaid enrollees aged 21 and older have had access to comprehensive dental care benefits since July 2021 through a state budget amendment. The numerous services covered, including X-rays, cleanings and fillings, focus on preventing problems and restoring damaged teeth. Prior to this, adults were eligible only for limited care, which mainly just included extractions.
Three Interesting Bills: Selling Children, ‘Swatting’ Penalties and Regulating Vape Products
Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this occasional series, the Virginia Mercury takes a look at a few of the proposals that might not otherwise make headlines during the whirlwind legislative session.
