About half of Virginia’s federally qualified health centers faced uncertainty as federal disbursements were delayed following President Donald Trump’s executive order freezing grants. The memo laying out the plan was quickly rescinded, but the disruption put added strain on the state’s community health centers.
Emily Schabacker
Emily Schabacker is health care reporter for Cardinal News. She can be reached at emily@cardinalnews.org or 406-690-0456.
Posted inPolitics
Where bills stand at the midpoint of the General Assembly
Here’s the status of some key legislation.
Posted inPolitics
Virginia moves forward with legislation to overhaul Medicaid pharmacy benefit managers
About 50 retail pharmacies closed across Virginia last year, leaving 20 counties with limited or no access to pharmacies. Legislation moving through the General Assembly is intended to stem the losses.
Posted inPolitics
Hundreds of thousands of Virginians could lose insurance coverage if Medicaid expansion is rolled back
Since the November election, Republican leaders at the federal level have shown themselves to be open to making cuts to Medicaid.
Posted inHealthcare
Carilion defends its proposal to bring a kidney transplant program to Southwest Virginia
Eight people, including several doctors and a kidney transplant recipient, spoke in support of the Roanoke-based health system’s plan at a hearing Tuesday in Richmond.
Posted inHealthcare
Transportation issues complicate patients’ chances for transplants
Carilion Clinic plans to challenge the state’s recommendation to deny its kidney transplant program, as patients in Southwest and Southside struggle with transportation to the nearest center in Charlottesville.
Posted inHealthcare
Then & Now: Opening of new Roanoke counseling center is pushed to 2026
Officials at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare expect renovations to start this spring.
Posted inHealthcare
Then & Now: Work continues on Carilion’s new hospital tower
The Crystal Spring Tower, which is set to open next summer at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, will centralize the hospital’s cardiovascular services, expand the emergency department and add a helipad with direct access to the emergency department.
Posted inHealthcare
Sister Bernadette Kenny, founder of the Health Wagon and advocate for Central Appalachia, dies at 85
Sister Bernadette Kenny brought multiple health services to the region, including establishing the first mobile health clinic in the U.S. She died Saturday.
Posted inHealthcare
Carilion wants to start a kidney transplant program in Roanoke. State health officials, and UVa, oppose it.
The University of Virginia Medical Center submitted a letter opposing Carilion’s proposal, saying that it could jeopardize UVa’s staffing levels and ongoing research initiatives.
