Session starts today: Here’s what we’re watching

Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Session starts today. Here at Dogwood, we’re your newsroom; we intentionally cover the things that matter most to you. Right now, a big part of that is being in “maybe mode” for the next few months.

Will Virginia’s public schools get the funding they so desperately need? Maybe. Will laws pass that take gun safety into further consideration? Maybe. Will prescription drug costs lower for Virginians in need of medication? Maybe. These—and other pertinent topics—are some of the stories we’re going to focus on while the General Assembly is in session.

Don’t worry! We’re still going to feature all of the restaurant recommendations we’re getting, the most fun family activities to do during the season, and name the best hidden destinations the commonwealth has to offer. That’s not changing at all; we enjoy creating those stories as much as y’all enjoy reading them. But I thought it’d be important to say, “Hey, this is what we’re planning while the GA’s in session,” to note that we’re a great source for that type of content, too.

Whether you’ve come more for fun or with an interest in current happenings, we’ve got those stories ready for you—and I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

Four new Virginia laws just took effect that could help your health

Here’s what you need to know: Several laws that passed in the 2023 session just took effect last week. Yep, many new laws often “begin” on either July 1 or Jan. 1—and it’s pretty neat to see last year’s session decisions in action as this year’s priorities start to take shape.

The changes:

Health insurers must cover the cost of hearing aids and related services for individuals age 18 and under, when recommended by a specialist. The devices can be updated every two years for each impaired ear, and costs are capped at $1,500.
Health insurance providers have to give patients six months’ advance notice before dropping doctors from their plans. In specific circumstances, insurers will be required to continue covering visits to those doctors to ensure continuity of care.
Virginia is now part of a 20-state compact granting reciprocal licenses to counselors from other participating states. The change will help ease the shortage of mental healthcare providers.
A shift in oversight of Virginia’s medical cannabis program moved it from the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. The VCCA will manage retail sales of medical marijuana, while the pharmacy board will continue to control the licensing of healthcare providers eligible to prescribe medical weed.

To learn more about these changes and what they could mean for you, click below.

Read this article

Are you more of a visual or auditory learner than a reader? If so, we’ve got a whole video focused on some of the upcoming topics we’re expecting to see during the 2024 session.

Jessica Craven takes a deep dive into several amendments focused on improving Virginians’ civil rights, fiscal security, and physical safety.

Which of these priorities align most with your interests? Jot them down and send them to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com (or reply to this email). Remember, we’re interested in covering the things you want to learn more about—so every message is important to us!

Watch here

There are a multitude of key legislative priorities that could take shape over the next few months. Carly Seward Maher discusses everything from reproductive rights to raising Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026.

Click below to stay in the loop and learn more about what’s on the commonwealth’s legislative wishlist.

Watch here

This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic five-year-old who loves monster trucks.
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