The Virginia House of Delegates unanimously passed HB 319, put forward by Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) and co-patroned by nine House Republicans. The legislation would allow medical professionals who provide charitable healthcare services to receive continuing education credits.
“This legislation helps the neediest Virginians receive affordable healthcare without growing government,” said Rasoul. “By incentivizing doctors and other medical professionals to volunteer their time, we both expand access to healthcare and strengthen communities. We worked with state agencies, members of the medical community, and other organizations to make this happen, which is a great example of how we can create positive change by working together.”
Once implemented, the legislation could result in over 85,000 free visits a year with a potential value of $48 million in donated care in Virginia, according to the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). A similar program took effect in Florida in 1992 and has been described as “one example of how innovative solutions can leverage existing medical resources to maximum effect and deliver the care needed for many of the most vulnerable in our society,” by the FGA.
HB 319 will be considered by the Virginia Senate later this month.
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