Endorsements include Mary Person

Doctors celebrate "Care for VA Candidates" committed to protecting and expanding health care access

RICHMOND — The Committee to Protect Health Care today announced its endorsements for the Virginia General Assembly. The designated candidates were selected because of their:

• Support for the establishment of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that directly addresses rising drug costs by reviewing the price of drugs and setting upper payment limits on the most expensive ones;

• Support for the establishment of a high-quality, low-cost public health insurance option;

• Opposition to any legislation that restricts access to reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception.

"The Committee to Protect Health Care is proud to endorse these candidates because of their commitment to protecting and expanding access to health care," said Dr. Rommaan Ahmad, a pain management physiatrist in Alexandria and Virginia State Lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care. "These 'Care for VA Candidates' understand that access to affordable health care, including prescription drugs and reproductive health care, is critical for the health and well-being of Virginians across the commonwealth. Doctors look forward to supporting these health care champions on behalf of our patients and all residents of Virginia."

The endorsed candidates include:

*Candidate did not respond to questionnaire due to campaign policy, but upon review of their record and stated positions, they were awarded the "Care for VA" distinction.

About the Committee to Protect Health Care

The Committee to Protect Health Care is a national mobilization of doctors, health care professionals, and advocates who are building a pro-patient health care majority in Congress and in states so that we can live in an America where everyone has the health care they need to thrive. To learn more: www.committeetoprotect.org

The application period is now open for a new financial assistance program under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. The application process will close on October 31. Borrowers will have the option to apply for assistance online via 22007apply.gov or through a paper-based form.

Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. The website includes an English and Spanish language application that applicants can download or submit via an e-filing portal, information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970, or visit one of several dozen brick-and-mortar offices the program has set up around the country. Locations are provided on the program website and vendors will update the local events schedule with more information as it becomes available. It is important to note that filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer.

If you want to get weekly updates on the program’s events and progress, you can go to https://22007apply.gov, and subscribe to a weekly newsletter.

Traffic Crashes Claim 13 Lives Statewide 

RICHMOND – Thirteen individuals died in 10 traffic crashes over the 2023 Labor Day holiday weekend in Virginia, according to preliminary reports. Half of the traffic crashes involved motorcycles, in which seven motorcycle operators and passengers lost their lives. A total of 12 individuals died in traffic crashes during the 2022 Labor Day four-day statistical counting period, compared to 10 deaths in 2021*. The 2023 Labor Day statistical counting period began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, and concluded at midnight Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. 

The 10 fatal traffic crashes occurred in the City of Virginia Beach and Campbell, Hanover, James City, Montgomery, Nelson, Pittsylvania, Rockbridge, Scott and Wythe counties. The crashes in Campbell, Pittsylvania and Scott County each involved two fatalities. The fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in Virginia Beach and Hanover, Nelson, Scott and Wythe counties.  

"To have lost this many lives to traffic crashes, especially motorcycle riders, in just four days is both disheartening and alarming," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "As demonstrated by the enforcement statistics from the holiday weekend, Virginia's state troopers were on patrol doing everything we could to prevent crashes and encourage compliance with Virginia traffic laws. As we look to these final months of 2023, I cannot impress enough the importance for all Virginians to take traffic safety seriously and commit to saving lives on our highways." 

Colonel Settle also encourages Virginians to take advantage of the free motorcycle assessment courses being offered in the coming weeks by Virginia State Police Motorcycle Troopers. Registration is currently open for Ride 2 Save Lives training courses being held in Yorktown, Wytheville, Richmond, Manassas, Salem, and Virginia Beach between now and October. For more information and to register online, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/o/virginia-state-police-16981406541.  

During the four-day statistical counting period for the 2023 Labor Day weekend, Virginia State Police participated in both the annual Operation C.A.R.E. – the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort – as well as the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI prevention campaign. State police enforcement efforts resulted in 73 DUI arrests, as well as 279 drivers being cited for violating Virginia's "hands free law." Operation CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored initiative that aims to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by speeding and a failure to use occupant restraints. 

In addition, Virginia State Police stopped 4,475 speeders and 1,945 reckless drivers. State troopers also cited 491 seat belt violations and 150 child restraint violations.  

Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state's Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.