By Trevor Moncure
Commonwealth Strategies Group
Update on HB 888/SB 176 – Changes to TDOs for Patients with Neurocognitive and Neurodevelopmental conditions
To review, HB 888/SB 176 would make it so that patients with neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disabilities would no longer qualify for TDO placements, as those symptoms would be excluded from the statutory definition of mental illness. The legislation was amended with a “re-enactment clause” which means it will need to be approved a second time during the 2025 General Assembly. It also created a workgroup, and the first of four sessions took place on Thursday, July 18th. PSV and WPS were represented by PSV President Dr. Badr Ratnakaran, Dr. Adam Kaul, and Dr. Sherin Moideen. This first session was largely informational. Representatives from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) provided background information on the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC) study that led to this legislation, the current process for involuntary commitments, and a review of programs currently operated by DBHDS that support individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disabilities. We are working in close coordination with the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians (VACEP) to address this issue and express opposition. The workgroup will continue to meet to gather insight from the medical specialties affected by this bill.
Behavioral Health Provider Coalition
The Behavioral Health Provider Coalition, a group of numerous mental health provider organizations, is still working to address mental health coverage parity and network adequacy laws in Virginia. As a part of this effort, associations within this coalition are designing a survey aimed at identifying obstacles to achieving parity. We plan to release this survey to participating organizations in early September. With robust participation and feedback, we plan to bring this issue, potentially with legislation, to the Virginia General Assembly. More information on the Behavioral Health Provider Coalition can be found here.
Medical Society of Virginia
In May, PSV President Dr. Badr Ratnakaran and Trevor Moncure represented PSV/WPS at the Medical Society of Virginia’s annual advocacy summit where they expressed opposition to HB 888 and SB 176 with the intent of gaining MSV’s support of our position during the next legislative session. In early July, physician presidents and leaders from Virginia’s medical specialty organizations met again to discuss the proposals that were submitted and voted on which will be considered a priority. Unfortunately, PSV/WPS’s proposal was not chosen as a priority for their legislative efforts during the 2025 session, but we can still count on critical support from their government relations team.
The top priorities they recommended included the following:
- Non-Compete Clauses brought forth by the Virginia Chapter for the American College of Cardiology
- Expanded and Standardized Nurse Practitioner Education brought forth by the Richmond Academy of Medicine
- Expansion of Medicare Open Enrollment and Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement Policies brought forth by the Richmond Academy of Medicine
- Health Equity for Anti-Obesity Medications
PsychMD PAC
PsychMD PAC is a critical tool for PSV’s legislative efforts in Virginia. Given the current balance of our PAC, we lack the resources we need to effectively compete for attention in a crowded and contentious political environment. Without the necessary funding, our PAC cannot support legislators who share our goals and are willing to champion our cause in future legislative sessions. Through your support and another successful year of 100% board participation, we have set an attainable goal of raising $12,000. Help elevate your profession and build relationships that support the work you do.
Please consider making a donation to help our profession and patients get the attention we deserve in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can donate securely online using this link. Alternatively, you can mail a check payable to PSYCHMD PAC and mail it to 118 N. 8th St, Richmond, VA 23219. We appreciate any and all donations.
Thank you to the following 2024 contributors:
Syed Ahsan
Albert Arias
Evelyn Arboleda
Michael Bick
Steve Cunningham
Rebecca Lindsay
Joseph Mason
Karl Northwall
Ashvin Patel
Ryan White
Shariff Tanious
John Shemo
Vladimir Karpov
Steven Welton
For additional information about any of these topics or activities, please contact the PSV/WPS government relations team: Trevor Moncure [email protected] or Cal Whitehead [email protected]
