Dogwood Daily: Medicaid patients rely on the ER for dental services

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up.

But first…

It’s a sad day in Virginia. Dame Mary Sigillo Barraco, a Virginia Beach resident who was a World War II resistance fighter and suffered torture at the hands of Nazis, passed away.

Five things you need to know today …

1. Medicaid patients rely on ER for dental services– A new report by the Department of Medicaid Assistance Services found that many Virginians on Medicaid often go to emergency rooms for dental issues that could have easily been treated at a dentist’s office. Unlike children, adult Medicaid recipients do not qualify for preventative dental coverage and often have to rely on emergency rooms for assistance with their dental health. The report estimated that Medicaid recipients made 19,000 visits to emergency rooms for dental care in 2018. -Richmond Times-Dispatch 
   
2. Northam set to announce innovation authority– Sources say Gov. Ralph Northam is set to propose new legislation aimed at transforming how Virginia invests in emerging technologies. The Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority would consolidate five state-financed initiatives already in place, allowing a more streamlined allocation of resources. If approved by the General Assembly, the authority would bring increased investment in training students to work in high-skill industries and fostering startups in the area. -The Roanoke Times  
   
3. Fairfax County signs solar deal– Fairfax County signed solar power purchase agreements with solar developers, in what the county says is the largest power purchase agreement by a municipality in the Commonwealth. The providers will install, own, manage, and maintain the solar panels over the course of the 25-year contract. Fairfax County estimates there is a potential for $60 million saving in utility costs from the deal. -WTOP 
   
4. SWAT team performs drill at site of mass shooting– A Virginia Beach SWAT team is facing criticism after they conducted a training session at the same building where a mass shooting took place earlier this year. Several city employees were still working at the building with some saying the sight of the team gave them flashbacks to the May 31 attack. Captain John Thomas Orr emailed an apology afterward, saying, “I am sorry if we caused anyone distress.” -WTOP
   
5. Northam says localities could face consequences– Gov. Ralph Northam said localities could face consequences if law enforcement officers don’t enforce gun laws. Northam did not offer specifics on what those consequences would be, but said officers need to enforce any laws on the books. Northam also said he isn’t seeking retaliation against the governments declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries. “There’s not going to be retaliation. That’s not what I’m about,” Northam told reporters.  -WTKR