The one remaining certificate of public need bill, HB350, was sent back to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, March 7, ending its consideration for the session.  While the bill had made it to the Senate floor following the Education and Health Committee’s endorsement last week, it was determined that the bill had revenue implications based on its creation of the Virginia Charity Care Fund, which assessed medical care facilities in order to draw down additional federal matching funds.

Under the Senate rules, the chamber had until March 1 to act on bills from the other chamber with revenue impacts.  The Senate then rereferred the bill to the Finance Committee and had it carried over for the year.

Legislators who have been deeply engaged in the development of the COPN legislation throughout the session have signaled their intent to continue to explore COPN reforms in the future.  VHCA-VCAL will continue to closely monitor this issue and educate legislators about the importance of COPN to nursing center care.