Del. Jason Ballard
Virginia General Assembly
Earlier this month, Governor Glenn Youngkin submitted an application that would bring $1 billion in federal funding to the Commonwealth in order to transform rural health care. I know that at least one local paper covered this announcement, but it is worth mentioning in detail once more as it is such an important issue for our region.
Virginia’s “VA Rural Vitality” plan will revolutionize the way that healthcare services are provided to those of us who do not live within the vicinity of a traditional hospital. This is welcome news as Republicans seek to eliminate so-called “healthcare deserts” that negatively affect the wellbeing of rural residents. VA Rural Vitality represents a locally-driven plan to improve health outcomes in rural Virginia by modernizing health care delivery, expanding the health care workforce, and other strategies to address vital needs. Nearly 55% of rural localities are in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas, and 63% of counties in the Commonwealth lack an OB-GYN. This is unacceptable, and I am proud to support the governor’s actions to rectify this situation.
The plan consists of four pillars that will guide this transformation. First, Virginia will empower healthier lives by launching incentive-based programs backed by technology that will help citizens prevent and manage chronic conditions. As you know, many adverse health conditions can be avoided in the first place by making the right choices (and in some cases, simply having the information on how to do so). Second, the Commonwealth will grow a rural healthcare workforce by building local health pipelines through high schools, community colleges, and universities to train and retain the next generation of rural healthcare professionals. This will be a massive area of focus and investment in the coming years, and it is the right way to address the dwindling number of health care professionals in rural Virginia as well as helping the local healthcare economy. Third, VA Rural Vitality will completely reconstruct care delivery by expanding hybrid and mobile care, connecting rural providers to larger health systems, and developing payment structures that are sustainable for those receiving care. And finally, this plan will invest in innovation by deploying advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence powered tools to improve access and coordination among providers, which will lead to better patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence is certainly no replacement for traditional medical advice, but it is a tool that can be successfully leveraged to match patients with providers, services, and other applications much more efficiently than the current standard.
Once the funding is made available, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will work with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to carry out the plan. Agencies will work diligently with all members of the healthcare ecosystem, to include hospital/health centers, food banks, and technology providers to ensure positive measurable outcomes are achieved.
In sum, the VA Rural Vitality plan will deliver tangible, substantive results for rural Virginians that will reverse the current trends of healthcare out-migration from the areas that need it the most. This is a solid plan and a major effort on behalf of Virginia Republicans to deliver results, and I look forward to working with state agencies to ensure that localities within the New River Valley are featured prominently.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
