Subcommittee advances bill to expand Virginia's essential health benefits to include doula care, infertility coverage and more

The Senate Resources Subcommittee voted to report House Bill 328, a recommendation from the Health Insurance Reform Commission that would update Virginia’s essential health benefits package to add several services and items.

The bill’s patron told the committee the measure is the culmination of last year’s HERC work and will "set in motion Virginia's application to update our essential health benefits plan." The sponsor listed additions that would be added to the EHB: doula services, infertility services, hearing aids, pasteurized human donor breast milk, diagnostic/prophylaxis care for PANS and PANDAS, and treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome.

The sponsor said the bill was amended in consultation with the Bureau of Insurance and includes language to anticipate potential federal changes; "there's some action or potential action up in Washington," the patron said, referring to CMS review of EHBs. Committee members asked questions; the committee moved, seconded and voted to report the bill with one recorded no vote.

Because the measure is a recommenda­tion tied to administrative details and any federal guidance, proponents said it will allow Virginia to respond quickly should CMS change its approach. Opponents did not offer substantial floor debate in the subcommittee; the measure will be transmitted to the full Senate for further consideration.