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2026 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Rasoul
Restore Funding for Perinatal Health Hubs

Item 280 #5h

Item 280 #5h

First Year - FY2027 Second Year - FY2028
Health and Human Resources
Department of Health FY2027 $2,500,000 FY2028 $2,500,000 GF

Language
Page 319, line 28, strike "$180,469,119" and insert "$182,969,119".
Page 319, line 28, strike "$180,469,119" and insert "$182,969,119".

Page 280, after line 42, insert:

"J.1. Out of this appropriation, $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to continue funding of the pilot perinatal health hub programs funded in Chapter 725, 2025 Acts of Assembly. The Virginia Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, shall extend the grant awards for community-based providers (hubs) to improve perinatal outcomes and to reduce maternal and infant mortality in their communities through the 2026-2028 biennium.

2. The Virginia Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, and in consultation with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, shall establish grant application selection and award criteria. Essential elements shall include: (i) a description of how the funds will be utilized and a description of the services to be provided, (ii) a description of the populations who will be served, (iii) a requirement for collaboration with local and regional stakeholders, (iv) a required physical presence in the region in which a hub will be located, (v) a contractual collaboration with a regional birthing hospital and/or obstetrical clinic for pregnant and postpartum families in the region which the hub is located, (vi) partnerships and/or contracts with Medicaid managed care organizations for the purpose of sharing data and collaboration, (vii) the use of evidence based quality standards as defined by the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative and the Health Resources Services Administration, (viii) an evaluation of program impact on populations served, and (ix) a plan for future sustainability.

3. The Virginia Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, shall report on the participating community providers and award amounts, a description of services provided, a description of populations served, the number of individuals served, and an assessment of health outcomes and program effectiveness. This report shall be provided to the Governor, and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on or before January 1, 2027. Any unexpended balance in this paragraph at the close of business on June 30, 2027, associated with perinatal hubs shall not revert to the general fund but shall be carried forward and reappropriated."



Explanation

(This amendment restores funding and language for the Perinatal Health Hubs established in Chapter 725, 2025 Acts of Assembly. Despite the requirement in Chapter 725 to carry forward funding and the fact that the pilot programs have reached full operational capacity, the introduced budget eliminated all funding for the program in fiscal year 2027.)