POLICY PRIORITIES

Last updated March 24, 2023

Virginia Policy Watch

Catalyst staff and leadership monitored the following policy priorities going into the 2023 legislative session. Read our blog to learn how it panned out as the General Assembly closed in February.

Community Health Worker advocacy

Supporting the Community Health Worker workforce in Virginia

Further strengthening Medicaid dental program

Improving access to dental care in Virginia’s Medicaid program

Office of Drinking Water funding

Maintaining state funding to the Virginia Office of Drinking Water

Watch the Policy Webinar from 12/19/22 that discusses:

  • Adult dental benefit in Medicaid implementation updates
  • Governor Youngkin's proposed 2023 state budget
  • Catalyst's legislative priorities going into the legislative session

Federal Policy Watch

More information on federal policies affecting the health of Virginians coming soon.

UPDATE: Medically Necessary Dental in Medicare 

A new federal rule narrowly expands Medicare coverage for dental services. Starting in 2023, Medicare Parts A and B will cover dental services that are "inextricably linked to, and substantially related and integral to, the clinical success of certain other covered medical services." Examples include necessary dental exams or treatment:

  • Prior to organ transplant surgery or cardiac valve replacement
  • Before treatment for head and neck cancers (beginning in 2024)

This is NOT comprehensive dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, but it is a really important step toward it. In addition to making care available when tied to some specific health care issues, the rule also establishes a process to continually add to the list of medically necessary issues.

PASSED: American Jobs Plan - Water Infrastructure

Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package on Nov. 5, and President Biden officially signed it into law on Monday, Nov. 15. It allocates significant funds towards infrastructure, including support for improvements to the nation’s crumbling water infrastructure, without which, Virginians cannot be guaranteed access to clean water. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Virginia can expect to receive $738 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is available in all communities. You can read more about the bill’s impact on Virginia here.