Originally published in The Virginian-Pilot: https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/08/12/opinion-using-vulnerable-virginians-as-bargaining-chips-must-stop/ By MONICA SCHMUDE | Guest Columnist August 12, 2023 at 6:05 p.m. Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) has deployed a deeply concerning new tactic in its recent negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In short: BSMH terminated its provider contracts relating to Anthem’s Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members in an effort to …
Magnolia Rose receives $40,000 to provide shelter for human trafficking victims
The News Virginian (Waynesboro) Marshall Pattie is the board president of Magnolia Rose and Jessica Garcia is the co-founder of the organization that rescues and rehabilitates victims of human trafficking. Bob Stuart, The News Virginian Bob Stuart Magnolia Rose, a Waynesboro-based organization combating human trafficking, has received a $40,000 grant to help provide emergency shelter for the victims it serves. …
The MolinaCares Accord Invests Over $430,000 to Improve Access to Care and Health Outcomes for the City of Petersburg
Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588 PETERSBURG, Va. – July 12, 2023 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia (“Molina”), is launching its MolinaCares Partnership for Petersburg initiative with an initial investment of over $430,000 to improve access to care and community health for the city of Petersburg. Improving access to care and health outcomes in Petersburg is part of Molina’s ongoing …
Virginia Premier Medicaid members to become Optima Health members
All Sentara Health Medicaid membership will move into a single plan as Optima Health in mid-summer; Optima Health will transition to the new name Sentara Health Plans by the end of 2023. May 10, 2023 About Sentara Virginia Premier and Optima Health will combine into a single plan. Virginia Premier, which provides Medicaid coverage to more than 300,000 Virginians, will …
Monica Schmude Named President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia
April 12, 2023 Industry veteran with strong healthcare background, focus on communities RICHMOND, Va. — Anthem announced today that Monica Schmude has been named President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia. “Monica brings a commitment to fulfilling our mission of improving the lives and communities we serve across the state,” said Kurt C. Small, President, East Region, for …
Temporary Benefits for Several Virginia Assistance Programs Will End Soon
This press release was originally Published by DMAS. RICHMOND, VA (March 6, 2023) – Several medical, food and financial assistance flexibilities andprograms administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the VirginiaDepartment of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) are set to expire due to recent changes in federallegislation. The programs, which have provided additional benefits and eligibility waivers to …
SCC Awards Technology Platform Contract to Transition Virginia to State-Based Health Insurance Exchange
News Release For Immediate Release: 10/6/2022 Contact: Andy Farmer Email: andy.farmer@scc.virginia.govTelephone: 804-371-9141 SCC Awards Technology Platform Contract to Transition Virginia to State-Based Health Insurance Exchange RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) awarded a contract to GetInsured of Mountain View, California, which also has an office in Richmond, for the technology platform and consumer assistance center that will support Virginia’s …
COVERVA: A COVID-19 Booster Is Available for All Children Age 12 and Older
For everyone age 12-17, the Virginia Department of Health recommends a Pfizer booster dose 5 months after their last Pfizer dose. For individuals 18 and older, a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose is recommended: 5 months after their last Pfizer or Moderna dose 2 months after their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And – everyone 5 and older should complete their …
Dunnavant, legislature’s only medical doctor, votes to support unapproved COVID-19 medicine promoted by Trump
Richmond Times-Dispatch Patrick Wilson 23 hrs ago Patrick Wilson The Virginia legislature’s only medical doctor supported a bill on Thursday aimed at encouraging health care providers to be allowed to prescribe drugs to treat COVID-19 that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for that purpose. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, would have …
In a push to reduce maternal mortality, Virginia is expanding access to doulas
BY: KATE MASTERS – NOVEMBER 22, 2021 Kali King could sense something was wrong during her last pregnancy. She had gone into labor, but when she went into the hospital on a Sunday, her cervix wasn’t dilating. She wanted to see her OB-GYN the next day, but one of the doctors there was insistent she could wait until Thursday for a check-up. …