October 14th Newsletter
The Virginia Health Workforce Authority (VHWDA) has begun a comprehensive and significant study of health workforce shortages in the Commonwealth. The budget that we in the legislature enacted earlier this year funds the study and directs a particular focus on primary care, behavioral, and nursing healthcare providers.
The General Assembly created the VHWDA more than ten years ago to focus on the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in the Commonwealth through the administration of federal funds related to education and training in those fields. In 2020, I carried a bill to expand the scope of VHWDA’s authority to address increasing shortages of health professionals. Unfortunately, those shortages grew dramatically during the COVID pandemic and have necessitated the study and the potential for more legislative action here.
I am an honored to serve as vice-chair of the VHWDA and to work with my fellow Authority board members including the VHWDA chair Senator George Barker (who championed the original legislation to create the VHWDA), Delegate Keith Hodges (a licensed pharmacist), Dr. Vanessa Walker Harris (Director of Office of Family Health Services at the Virginia Department of Health), and David Brown (Director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions).
As part of the study we will be engaging healthcare related stakeholders across Virginia as well as looking to other states for best practices. We welcome public input and would appreciate comments and suggestions. The study’s final report is due in October 2023.
If you have any questions or need assistance with a state agency, please contact my office at DelRWillett@house.virginia.gov or phone at 804-698-1073, and my expert staff will be happy to assist you. I also will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please stay well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Rodney
New Information
Immunizations
Influenza (flu) season generally ramps up in October and can last through May, peaking in the months of December and February. It’s best to get vaccinated early to be protected all season, which means this is prime time to get your flu shot if you haven't yet.
The new bivalent COVID-19 booster is also widely available now, including pharmacies and doctor's offices. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts offer weekly COVID-19 walk-up vaccination events (appointments are recommended) for folks planning to get the new booster soon. Visit RHHD for a list of dates and locations.
To save you time, it’s been recommended to get the flu and booster shots at the same time (one in each arm), although this isn't necessary. The CDC's vaccine finder will help find pharmacy locations near you that offer both vaccines. Learn more at rhhd.gov or by calling 804-205-3501.
Virginia Medicaid Renewal Process
Medicaid renewals have been paused during the COVID-19 emergency, per the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. You will not lose coverage if you do not renew at this time. However, you can take steps to get ready for the return to the normal enrollment process here.
Health coverage from Virginia Medicaid needs to be renewed each year. This is called an annual renewal. If your local department of social services has all of the information needed to complete your renewal, this process will be done automatically. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you if your coverage will continue for another year.
If your renewal cannot be completed automatically, you will receive a paper renewal form in the mail. This means you must take action to renew your health coverage.
Visit CoverVA.org or CubreVirginia.org for instructions on how to renew your coverage in faster, easier ways.
Update on Federal Student Loan Debt Relief & Scam Prevention
PLEASE NOTE: the enrollment process is not yet available. You should ignore any phone calls, texts, or emails asking for an immediate response to enroll - these are fraudulent requests. The form that federal student loan borrowers will need to complete to qualify for President Biden’s debt relief plan is expected to be available sometime this month. Although the application’s timing is still uncertain, no loans will be canceled before October 23rd at the earliest due to legal challenges. Once released, the application will be available through December 31, 2023.
What to expect:
According to the Biden administration, borrowers will be able to self-attest that they meet the requirements to qualify for forgiveness and they will not need to attach any proof to their application. As a reminder, the relief is limited to people who made less than $125,000, or married couples or heads of households who earned under $250,000, in either 2020 or 2021. The application will require only basic information, including name, birth date, Social Security number, phone number and an e-mail address. Borrowers will not need to provide what is known as an FSA ID to log into the application, nor will they need to upload any documents, including tax records.
What to avoid:
Scams were a problem even before Biden's announcement. More than 1 in 10 Google ads for searches on student loan forgiveness were fraudulent, according to a Tech Transparency Project report in July. And while new data is not yet available, experts tell NPR the problem has gotten worse in the weeks since Biden's announcement of the program, with borrowers encountering scams in text messages, phone calls and emails. Asking for personal information or payment before providing a good or a service is one of the most common red flags.
To avoid scams related to student loan forgiveness sign up at www.ed.gov/subscriptions to be notified when the Student Loan Debt Relief application becomes available and follow these do’s and don’ts from the U.S. Department of Education. Check out this guide on the Federal Student Aid website for more information on how to protect yourself from scams.
Community Health Workforce Funding for RHHD
From the Henrico Citizen: The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will receive funding for community health workforce training, as part of nearly $6 million being allocated in Virginia through the American Rescue Plan.
The RHHD, Central Shenandoah, and Blue Ridge health districts will share a total of $2.99 million in funding.
“All Virginians, regardless of where they live or work, deserve health care. That’s why it’s important that we support our community health workers, who are trusted members of their communities, provide education, and increase access to health care and social services,” U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner said in a joint press release this past Friday. “We’re glad that this funding is coming to Virginia to help train community health workers so they can keep doing what they do best.”
The funds will be administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Community Health Worker Training Program.
Virginia Telecommunications Initiative Project Dashboard
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced this week the launch of the new Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) Project Dashboard. This project dashboard will provide information to stakeholders on project progress and the deployment of broadband networks to unserved areas across the Commonwealth.
The VATI Project Dashboard will include the VATI awardees selected since January 2021 that have entered into an agreement with DHCD by early August 2022 to start project implementation. The remaining projects will be added to the dashboard as these agreements are executed.
VATI extends broadband service to currently unserved areas. VATI prepares communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on the expansion of broadband infrastructure with the goal of creating strong, competitive communities. The VATI project dashboard can also be a tool for residents to stay up to date on the progress of broadband expansion projects in their communities funded by VATI. To access the VATI Project Dashboard, visit VATI Project Dashboard.
Deadline to Register to Vote: Monday, October 17th
The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is THIS Monday, October 17th at 5:00 pm. In order to cast a ballot, you must have an active voter registration record with your current name and address. Double check your registration status for correct information and note the eligibility requirements if you need to fill out an application here.
You may apply to register to vote online with the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal, at your local voter registration office, or a number of state and local government entities like the DMV and public libraries.
Reminder: State Tax Rebates Arriving by October
Virginia is currently in the process of issuing rebates to eligible taxpayers in the order that returns were filed and in amounts of up to $250 for individual filers and $500 for joint filers. The state is issuing rebates as part of the budget that we enacted earlier this year in an effort to get financial relief to taxpayers. If you received a tax refund by direct deposit this year, you will likely receive your rebate by direct deposit as well. Otherwise, the state will mail you a paper check. If you are eligible and filed taxes by July 1st, your rebate will be sent by October 17th and should be received no later than October 31st if through the mail. If you haven't yet filed your taxes, you must do so by November 1st to receive this year’s rebate. Visit https://www.tax.virginia.gov/rebate to check your rebate eligibility.
House Page Program Application: Due October 31st
Applications are being accepted for the House Page program. The historic program is a truly unique opportunity for students to live in Richmond and work in the Captiol during the General Assembly session to experience the policy process firsthand and learn more about state government. Pages perform errands and administrative duties for House Members and staff on the House of Delegates and are also selected for specific assignments, including the Speaker's Office, House Clerk's Office, and various House Committees. Pages reside in downtown Richmond during the week, with structured time to keep up with schoolwork, and return home on weekends. This tradition is an integral part of the General Assembly, and we wouldn't be able to operate so efficiently and effectively without the House Pages!
Page applicants must be either 13 or 14 years of age when the legislative session convenes on January 11, 2023. The House of Delegates has more information available online. Submit an application before October 31st at 5:00 PM to be considered.
