Policy and Advocacy

Last updated January 15, 2026

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Virginia Health Catalyst is responding to a changing health landscape, one that demands deeper integration, stronger systems, and a clearer focus on whole-person health equity. This agenda reflects an expansion of our work and lays the groundwork for the next version of the Healthy Virginia Blueprint. 

ACCESS

Catalyst supports policies that remove barriers to care and strengthen the health care safety net across the lifespan. Our focus is on expanding and safeguarding safety nets, including school-based health centers. We aim to integrate oral health into primary, maternal, and chronic care, protect access to maternal and child health services, reduce coverage gaps and churn, and ensure the preservation of Medicaid and public health care coverage.

WELL-BEING

Catalyst advocates for policies that focus on improving health conditions beyond the walls of clinics. We prioritize whole-person investments in safe drinking water, environmental health, food security, housing stability, and community safety, alongside modernization of health data systems to improve transparency, accountability, and equity outcomes. 

CAPACITY

Catalyst focuses on strengthening the people, infrastructure, and systems that deliver care, especially in underserved communities. We support incentives to practice in high-need areas, expanded residency and training programs, stronger recruitment and retention pipelines, recognition of caregivers and community health workers, and reduced administrative burdens that limit provider capacity. 

TOP 3 PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

Protect Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit

Strike the $2,000 Cap

We oppose a proposal in the Governor’s budget that would limit adult dental care for Medicaid members to $2,000 per year. This cap could prevent people from getting the dental care they need. We urge lawmakers to remove this provision.

Strengthen Dental Hygienist Workforce

Fund the Dental Hygienist Pipeline

We support funding to grow Virginia’s dental hygienist workforce and expand access to preventive oral health care. This investment will help more providers enter the workforce and increase preventive care, especially in underserved communities.

Build Capacity for Whole-Person Care

Strengthen Safety Net Clinics and Community-Based Care

We support funding that strengthens safety net clinics to expand access to care. These investments enable clinics to deliver integrated, equitable, whole-person care, especially in communities facing the greatest barriers to health.

Bills We are Tracking

We categorize each bill based on our position: priority, monitoring, supporting, or opposing.
Subscribe to our bill list to track the legislation we are following.

If you have any questions about any bills or budget amendments that we are tracking, please contact our Senior Policy Manager, Lauren Eggleton, at leggleton@vahealthcatalyst.org.