RD15 - House Bill 383 - Mandated Coverage of Lymphedema


Executive Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce and Labor referred House Bill 383 to the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits (Advisory Commission) during the 2002 Session of the General Assembly. House Bill 383 was introduced by Delegate Leo C. Wardrup, Jr.

The Advisory Commission held a public hearing on October 10, 2002, in Richmond to receive public comments on House Bill 383. In addition to the patron, Delegate Wardrup, six speakers addressed the proposal. The chairman from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Health System Division of Surgical Oncology, a medical oncologist, a physical therapist, a registered nurse, and a patient spoke in favor of House Bill 383. A representative from the Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) spoke in opposition to the bill.

In addition, written comments in support of the bill were provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS), American Physical Therapy Association, Roanoke Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, Blue Ridge of Virginia Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, Hill City of Virginia Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, Northern Virginia Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, VCU MCV Health System Division of Surgical Oncology, Virginia Occupational Therapy Association, two physical therapists, an occupational therapist, and a patient. Written comments in opposition to House Bill 383 were provided by Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Health Insurance Association of America, and the VAHP.