Keeps Hospital Pricing Limits in Southwest Virginia
Virginia · HB300 · Introduced Jan 9, 2026
Why it matters
Hospitals in the region would keep certain pricing limits for five more years and pay state supervision costs. Patients could see prices stay limited for longer than the original agreement would have allowed.
What it does
- Ends the Commissioner's order conditions for a Southwest Virginia hospital cooperative agreement on June 30, 2028, or later expiration
- Keeps existing hospital pricing restrictions in place for five years after that expiration date
- Lets the State Health Commissioner supervise those pricing restrictions during the five-year period
- Lets the Health Department seek up to $200,000 a year from hospitals to cover supervision costs
- Allows civil penalties of up to $50,000 for each violation of pricing restrictions
Status
Latest action (2026-07-21): Continued from last session
About this bill
Would end the cooperative agreement conditions in 2028 but keep pricing restrictions for five years, supervised by the State Health Commissioner, with a $200,000 yearly cost cap.
Expiration of cooperative agreements; period of oversight by VDH Commissioner, transfer of records.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Some health and consumer groups would likely say the bill keeps price limits in place and protects patients. They would point to state oversight and penalties.
💬 The case against
Some hospital groups would likely say the bill extends rules that should end. They may also argue the costs and penalties add burden.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
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