Virginia Department of Health Archives - RVA Mag

RVA Mag

Richmond, VA Culture & Politics Since 2005

Menu

Virginia Tackles Skyrocketing Drug Overdoses

|

Topics: , , , , , , , , , ,

Klay Porter, 32, recalls overdosing alone at his aunt’s house five years ago from heroin laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. He remembers slipping away and thinking “this is it.”

Porter isn’t alone. Opioid overdoses led to more than 9,900 emergency room visits in Virginia in 2020, a roughly 30% increase from 2019, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Fatal opioid overdoses increased roughly 260% in a decade, from 2011 to 2021. Fatal drug overdoses have increased almost every year in that time frame and have been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013, according to VDH.

Fentanyl is the driving force behind the increase in Virginia’s fatal overdoses, according to VDH. Three out of every four overdoses in 2020 included fentanyl. Fentanyl is mixed with other drugs such as heroin, illegitimate prescription opioids, and cocaine to increase potency, resulting in the likelihood of a fatal interaction, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s size, tolerance and past usage. That amount could fit on the tip of a pencil, according to the DEA. Over 9.5 million counterfeit pills — imitations of prescription medication — were seized by the DEA in the fall of 2021, more than the last two years combined. There has been a “dramatic rise” in the number of counterfeit pills containing a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, according to the DEA.

To understand the scope of drug overdose deaths, the second leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia is gun-related fatalities. There were about twice as many fatal overdoses as gun-related deaths in 2020, and the health department forecasts the state is on track for that to happen again once 2021 numbers are final. 

As overdoses sharply increase, addiction treatment and recovery advocates, lawmakers, and government officials are working to save lives and combat the opioid epidemic. 

Recovery centers

Porter survived his 2017 overdose and is now a volunteer and recovery coach at the Henrico County-based McShin Foundation, a recovery community organization. McShin is Porter’s second attempt at recovery. After his initial stay at another recovery program he went straight to his dealer’s house and relapsed, he said. 

Porter was attracted to McShin because he was able to define what works for him with the provided tools and resources without being forced to follow a specific way of recovery. McShin offers a 28-day residential program and partners with physicians for drug and alcohol detox.

Most staff members at McShin have experienced addiction or have close connections with someone who has, according to McShin CEO Honesty Liller. The peer-to-peer program is the most helpful in the recovery process, she said.

“There’s nothing like a hug,” Liller said. “There’s nothing like someone with lived experience with the disease of addiction but also recovery.”

Porter’s most recent drug charge caught up to him after a year and a half of staying at McShin, he said. He turned himself in to avoid 10 years incarceration, he said.

Porter’s sentence was reduced to two months, which he only completed 52 days of. He was released early on bond because of his sobriety. He continued his sobriety throughout and after his sentence. When he returned to McShin he was hired as a peer recovery specialist.

“I’ve had multiple rock bottoms,” Porter said. “I’ve struggled for a good, long while. I’ve lost everything multiple times.”

Porter has struggled with addiction since age 11, starting with alcohol and moving to hard drugs. 

“I didn’t know how to cope with the world around me, and the best thing I could think of was to check out, disassociate or black out,” Porter said. “Detach myself from the world around me.”

Porter said he has been sober for about 21 months. The death of many loved ones as a direct result of substance use has motivated him to stay sober, he said.

The county still needs more resources to assist individuals seeking recovery.

A $12 million detox facility is set to open in 2024. Henrico County was granted $1 million in federal funding for the Henrico County Detox and Recovery Center. The center will provide same-day inpatient detox services with “no barriers based on income or other resources,” Tyrone Nelson, county supervisor said during a press conference earlier this year.

“The center is meant to be a resource for the county to have a place to bring people who are in the middle of a substance abuse-related crisis,” said U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., who helped secure the funding.

Henrico County created a roundtable in 2019 to recommend ways to strengthen local addiction and recovery programs, which included the detox center. The roundtable’s 2020 report noted that when Henrico Police responded to a drug overdose, they were likely to charge people who overdosed with possession because they could detox in jail, where detox and treatment services were available. 

“Henrico Police reported to the Roundtable that if they had the option to take drug users to a treatment center instead of the jail, this would be preferable,” the report stated. “However, no such drop-off facility currently exists.”

The Chesterfield County Police Department launched the Helping Addicts Recover Progressively, or HARP, program in 2016, in response to rising overdoses in the county. The program is run out of the jail and provides addiction-recovery and mental health resources to participants. The first part of the program takes six months to complete and the second phase involves a transition process and participation in work release or home incarceration. HARP has received federal grant money over the years. 

Photo courtesy of U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger.

Root causes

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department is working diligently to reduce overdoses, according to 2nd Lt. Kevin Tucker.

The department has worked with federal, state and local partners to prosecute drug dealers, according to Tucker. Loudoun County also offers mental health and substance abuse help and provides the D.A.R.E program to fifth grade students.

“This is somebody’s father, mother, son, brother and so my opinion on the opioid epidemic is it’s an absolute shame,” Tucker said. “It really is. It shows a deeper sort of systemic problem.”

Tucker believes finding the root of drug use is the beginning to solving the drug crisis in Virginia.

“If you want to solve the problem, you have to start asking the question ‘why?’” Tucker said. 

Solely targeting the individual illegally selling drugs won’t get to the root of the problem, according to Tucker. The start to solving the crisis is understanding the long term effects of why someone suffering with addiction got to where they are currently.

“We’ve routinely seen that people who overdose, and kind of find themselves in the same situation that they were before the overdose, are very likely to overdose again,” Tucker said.

Save a Life

Richmond and Henrico health districts offer free fentanyl test strips to reduce the risk of overdose. The strips are used to test for fentanyl in injectable drugs, powders and pills. Test strips are available at in person Narcan training and community dispensing events, according to VDH.

Recovery advocates, families and friends also want to stop overdoses. Opioid overdose reversal medication known as naloxone, often called Narcan by brand name, can be accessed through pharmacies, local community organizations, licensed emergency medical service agencies and health departments, according to VDH.

Loudoun County implemented a Heroin Operations Team initiative in 2015 to promote the pilot program of deputies carrying Narcan, according to Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

“The county does a pretty good job of getting Narcan out to people who have sort of high recurrence,” Tucker said. “It’s on request. Family members can request and have requested.”

REVIVE! is a virtual opioid overdose and naloxone education training program offered weekly for Virginia residents. The program offers two types of training. One trains participants to better understand opioids, how opioid overdoses happen, risk factors for opioid overdoses, and how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency with naloxone, according to the program’s website.

The other training prepares a person to become a REVIVE! instructor and train others. 

A person can receive a REVIVE! kit and Narcan nasal spray free of charge after attending the training, according to VDH.

Richmond recently introduced a spike alert program to indicate the presence of illegal or diverted prescription drugs in the community that may be potent or cause overdose. The program allows people in the greater Richmond community to be notified of overdose occurrences in the area, according to VDH. People can sign up for the alerts, here.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger.

Legislation

Lawmakers in 2015 began efforts to increase access to medicine that reverses overdoses. Over the past seven years, lawmakers have also expanded protections to people who report overdoses.

The Good Samaritan law went into effect last July and expands on legislation initially introduced in 2015. A person reporting an overdose will not be arrested or prosecuted for public intoxication, underage drinking, or purchasing or possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. A person also has immunity if they administered CPR or naloxone while another person reported the overdose. The individual must remain on scene and identify themselves to law enforcement.

“We cannot charge for possession,” Tucker said. “It doesn’t matter how bad that one possession is. If it’s just a possession it is exempt under the current code.”

The General Assembly established drug courts, which exist within the judicial system, to assist individuals in drug or drug-related cases and provide an alternative to incarceration. Drug courts are reported to reduce recidivism by allowing individuals to go through intense treatment options while under heavy supervision, in effort to increase recovery rates.

Lawmakers last year unanimously passed a joint resolution that designated Aug. 31 as an International Overdose Awareness day in Virginia. The U.S. and Virginia flags are to be lowered to half-mast in memory of people who have lost their lives to addiction. In the 20-year period between 1999 and 2019, over 770,000 people died from drug overdoses, according to the resolution. 

The resolution acknowledges addiction is a medical disease. The dedicated day is intended to raise awareness and encourage the discussion of the prevalence of addiction, implement new policies, remove barriers to treatment and overdose prevention and address the evolving need for support and resources relating to substance use disorder, according to the measure.

Although the recent resolution declared addiction a disease, Porter stresses that he’s an individual not defined by substance abuse. He said he loves art and creative expression. He’s always wanted to go to art school and plans on doing something to utilize his artistic talents after he stabilizes his life and gets off probation.

“We’re all some very talented people,” Porter said. “They have worth, but all that gets overlooked because of substance use or the alcohol addiction.”

Written by Faith Redd, Capital News Service. Top Photo: The Henrico County Detox and Recovery Center — set to open in 2024 — will provide same-day inpatient detox services. The center is one way advocates are working to help people with substance use disorders. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of unnatural death in the state. Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger. 

Republican Lawmakers Push To Protect Workers Who Decline COVID-19 Vaccine

|

Topics: , , , , , , , ,

Lawmakers narrowly passed a bill this month that would allow people fired for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to receive unemployment benefits if no other misconduct took place. 

The measure advanced from the House of Delegates on a 51-48 party line vote and was assigned to a Senate committee on Feb. 10.

The bill was one of several introduced by Republicans this session to protect and defend workers who do not want to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Forest, introduced House Bill 1201 to protect the unvaccinated from potential discrimination. The bill adds a line to the current unemployment misconduct law stating refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine does not hinder someone from obtaining unemployment benefits. 

Byron said her bill is not an endorsement for or against the vaccine. She is a proponent of the COVID-19 vaccine but said vaccination is a personal choice. 

 “There are many reasons why people have declined to take it, due to religious reasons and other reasons,” Byron said in a February subcommittee meeting. 

The bill preserves a worker’s right to make decisions about their own health, Byron said. However, she said the legislation doesn’t prevent employers from requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

“They are not getting purposely fired so they can go home and collect unemployment,” Byron said. “We need to make sure they have the ability to have benefits until they find another position.” 

Del. Kathy J. Byron

There is currently no explicit ruling as to whether refusing a COVID-19 vaccine without reason qualifies as misconduct, according to Norfolk-based employment lawyer John M. Bredehoft. Reasons to refuse the vaccine include medical injury, disability, or a “sincere religious objection,” he said.

“Knowing what the rule is has a definite value independent of what the rule would be,” Bredehoft said.

Generally, if someone gets fired, they get unemployment benefits and if they quit, they don’t receive the benefits, Bredehoft said. However, the bill isn’t clear enough, Bredehoft said.

“Let’s be clear. Nobody gets fired for refusal to get vaccinated – period,” Bredehoft said. “People get fired for refusal to be vaccinated when the company has a policy requiring them to be vaccinated.”

Nicole Riley, deputy secretary of labor for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, spoke at the subcommittee meeting. She said the governor’s administration supports the bill.

Virginians have received over 15 million doses of various COVID-19 vaccines, and 71% of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Over 80% of the adult population 18 and up is fully vaccinated. A person is considered fully vaccinated by the VDH when they received one dose of a single dose vaccine and both doses of a two dose vaccine. 

Del. Don L. Scott, D-Portsmouth, was the only person to question Byron during the subcommittee meeting. No delegates asked questions during subsequent meetings. Scott confirmed with Byron that Youngkin’s administration supports giving unemployment benefits to those who were fired for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Senate Commerce and Labor committee expected to read the bill meets on Mondays. The bill is one of approximately 70 House measures waiting for the committee’s action.

Written by Katharine DeRosa, Capital News Service. Top Photo by Art Writ.

Spring Awakening: A Vision for Richmond’s Post-Pandemic Renaissance

|

Topics: , , , , , , , , , ,

What’s the mood out there, Richmond? Excited? Anxious? Relieved? 

It’s been two weeks since Virginia ended its universal indoor mask mandate in accordance with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). All distancing and capacity restrictions have been eased as well, thanks to the state’s increasing vaccination rates and declining COVID-19 cases. The announcement feels like a major step in returning to life before a global pandemic rocked our world. 

For some, the announcement couldn’t come soon enough. But for others, the abrupt change feels strange and disorienting. It’s understandable. After a year in lockdown, we’ve gotten used to the stagnation of everyday life. Some researchers suggest our brains have been rewired, precipitating a mental health crisis (Source: The Guardian). From coping with the loss of everyday normalcy to the stress of trying to stay safe (and sane), COVID has affected all of us in varying degrees – physically, mentally, and socially. 

The latest statistics suggest our Groundhog Day existence may be coming to an end – at least for the time being. Virginia has administered over 8 million vaccines with over 68% of statewide adults having received at least one dose (Source: Virginia Department of Health). According to the Governor of Virginia’s website, we’re on track to meet President Biden’s goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4th.

This is all good news. With each day, our official reentry into society feels more real. It’s becoming more visible too. People are venturing outside, events are transitioning to in person, and our days of interacting solely on Zoom seem to be waning. 

As someone who recently joined the ranks of the fully vaccinated, I’ve easily seen more people and done more activities in the last month than I have in the last fifteen. And while I’m not necessarily seeking opportunities to shake hands or gather indoors with large crowds, it’s beginning to feel… not really normal, just a little less abnormal. Because let’s face it, after all we’ve been through, who can define what “normal” is anymore. 

As more people become vaccinated, Richmonders are venturing out to take advantage of the warm weather and in-person activities. Photo by EVERGIB / Brian Gibson.

This past year, we experienced nearly 600,000 COVID-related deaths in our country, the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression, a racial reckoning after the killing of George Floyd, a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, and the deadliest gun violence in decades. That’s only what made the headlines and doesn’t take into account any personal struggles we dealt with – the repercussions of which may take years to reconcile.

While we might finally be getting on the other side of this pandemic, the challenges we face as a country, community, and as individuals are still present. It’s a sober reality that’s enough to make even the most optimistic person retreat back into isolation.

Yet at some point, we must emerge and start living life again – fully, emphatically, and with hope that things can, and will, be better. 

If there’s anything we’ve learned from this ordeal, it’s that life has to be more than merely existing. It can’t be all work and no play – or in many cases, no work and no play. We need to have experiences that enrich and inspire us; that expose us to different people and perspectives and that, quite simply, make us feel alive. 

More than anything, we need each other. Studies in biology, neuroscience, and psychology all show that humans are inherently social creatures. Whether extroverted, introverted, or somewhere in between, we are wired to connect. In addition to offering a sense of belonging, our interaction with one another is conducive to our overall enjoyment of life. 

Connection doesn’t always require conversation. Merely being in the presence of others fosters camaraderie that’s necessary for our well-being. It’s why listening to live music, surrounded by people who are fully engaged in the moment, makes us feel amazing. In fact, any shared experience – from eating out to dancing the night away – provides social support that quite literally, helps us live longer (Source: National Library of Medicine).

In the West, particularly in the United States, we tend to overlook the importance of communal connection in our lives. In other words, we don’t always recognize, much less value, the role that people play in our happiness. We may even deny our dependence on others, but it’s as fundamental to our survival as food and water. (Source: Scientific American)

I believe acknowledging, and honoring, this insight is key to our reintegration into society. If we intrinsically need people in our life, then it’s vital we cultivate opportunities that bring us together, naturally and effortlessly. Experiences that remind us that the best moments are often those made with others – friends, family, and yes, even strangers. 

Local jazz & sound artist Victor Haskins performs at the Fan Arts Stroll earlier this spring with bassist Randall Pharr and drummer Tony Martucci. Photo by EVERGIB / Brian Gibson.

On long walks around town, I’m witnessing ways our city is starting to make that happen. The most noticeable difference: a flock to the outdoors. Dining now takes place on patios, sidewalks, parklets, and alleyways. In public parks, groups are engaged in every activity imaginable, from flag football to kickboxing to hip hop dance. Rooftops aren’t exclusively for happy hours, but for yoga classes, group lectures, and business meetings. 

Beyond taking advantage of warmer temperatures, the adaptation to the great outdoors signifies something deeper: a newfound interconnectedness. Seeing people out and about, especially in contrast to our isolating winter, is making our city feel more alive, accessible, and inclusive. We are appreciating life again – and each other. You can tell there’s a difference when you pass someone on the street these days – it feels good to make eye contact and greet someone with a smile. 

Indeed, how we meet, interact, and socialize is a huge part of our enjoyment of life. Last month, my historic rowhouse neighborhood was transformed into a world of post-pandemic creative bliss. The Fan Arts Stroll came about as a way for people to safely share their skills and talents in an open-air setting. Featuring sidewalk art, porch concerts, and food trucks, the grassroots event helped support local artists while also building community. 

Before COVID, my husband and I travelled a lot. In our wanders to nearly 60 countries across six continents, we noticed the importance that community plays in shaping a city’s culture. From the street food stalls of Bangkok to the colorful markets of New Delhi, people aren’t just existing together – they’re living together, wholly and intentionally.

One of my favorite aspects of life abroad is the ritualistic evening stroll that takes place in many cities around the world. Whether it’s the Passeggiata in Rome or the Paseo in Buenos Aires, the concept is the same. Before dinner, people of all ages take to the streets in the historic center to enjoy fresh air, a little bit of exercise, and each other’s company. 

It’s uplifting to see such a diverse mix of people of all ages and lifestyles embrace being together – students, professionals, families, retirees and more. Best of all, strolling is entirely free, involves no planning, and has zero agenda. Instead of trying to make plans or coordinate schedules in advance, everyone already knows where to go and what to do. All they have to do is show up. 

I’ve often wondered what an evening stroll might look like in Richmond. Happy hour on the lawn at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the closest I’ve gotten. Before pandemic life rendered all social gatherings null and void, I’d stake out a spot at the top of the hill on most Friday nights in the summer. Nothing beats the feeling of soaking up beautiful scenery while catching up with friends, people-watching, and simply being present. 

Locals enjoy the popular happy hour on the lawn at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in pre-pandemic times. Photo by EVERGIB / Rachel Scott Everett.

In my musings, I imagine people convening not just on the VMFA lawn, but along the steps of the grand entryway of nearby Virginia Museum of History & Culture. In many countries, it’s not uncommon for people to gather outside prominent public buildings like libraries, theaters, and churches. 

Between the landmark museums, the stroll would start along Arthur Ashe Boulevard where food trucks might be parked, serving snacks and refreshments. It would then continue down Monument Avenue, Richmond’s redefined Champs-Elysées. Sites of former Confederate statues would be replaced with bubbling fountains that light up in the evening to create a spectacular promenade that’s as magical as it is historic. 

The fencing around Marcus-David Peters Circle would be removed, allowing the space to once again become a community gathering spot, open to all. Like any central square in Europe, it would serve as a common meeting point – a place for people to come together in the heart of the city. A living symbol of how our dark past is making way for a bright future. When it’s time for dinner, strollers would make their way to local restaurants in the neighborhood or continue their evening elsewhere. 

The beauty of this concept is that it doesn’t have to be relegated to a single area in Richmond. After all, fostering a sense of community isn’t bound by geography. It’s a mindset – a way in which we perceive and behave towards other people. Through our attitude and actions, each of us can demonstrate our interconnectedness and in turn, have it be felt and reverberated throughout our entire city.

In the 14th century, Europe experienced an incredible revitalization of art, culture, and philosophy that was later referred to as The Renaissance, taken from the French word for “rebirth.” While many factors led to this impactful time period, noted scholars say the end of The Black Death (also known as the Plague) was the primary impetus. 

The global epidemic, which lasted for centuries, killed up to 200 million people and decimated populations worldwide. Life has always been short, but particularly in the Middle Ages when modern medicine did not exist (get vaccinated, everyone, and encourage others to do the same).

The Renaissance brought about enormous social change. One of its most defining aspects was humanism, an intellectual movement that promoted the importance of education, as well as civic virtue, defined as “a person’s full potential both for their own good and for the good of the society in which they live” (Source: World History Encyclopedia). To that end, the Renaissance wasn’t just about celebrating new ideas; it was about celebrating people. 

What comes next is uncharted territory for all of us. But as we navigate the new chapter ahead, we have an opportunity to renew our commitment to community. We can help show others – and ourselves – why coming together is necessary to our lives and our collective pursuit of happiness. It can be as simple as looking up from our phones to say hello, supporting a new local restaurant, or taking a stroll around the neighborhood.

Now’s the time, Richmond. See you out there… 

Top Photo: Locals meander the streets during the bi-annual Fan Arts Stroll last month. Photo by EVERGIB / Brian Gibson.

Health Brigade Offers Free COVID-19 Testing Throughout The Summer

|

Topics: , , , ,

As Virginia slowly reopens in time for the summer, the pandemic is still a reality. Richmond’s Health Brigade is providing free testing for Spanish-speaking and uninsured patients every Saturday all summer long.

As states across the country continue to reopen and life (more or less) returns to normal, COVID-19 remains in the back of everyone’s minds. Luckily, testing has become much more widely available than it was at the start of the pandemic. But for some who lack consistent access to health care even at the best of times, obtaining an affordable COVID-19 test remains a challenge.

To ensure that the maximum number of Richmonders are able to obtain tests this summer, Health Brigade is offering free COVID-19 testing to uninsured and Spanish-speaking patients from 9:00 a.m. to noon every Saturday (except July 4) throughout June, July, and August.

Health Brigade, formerly Fan Free Clinic, has been providing health and medical services to underserved patients since 1970. Since their inception, they have assisted in distributing contraceptives, were early responders to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and have continually given medical care to those who are uninsured and underprivileged.

“We do this outside, we have tents set up, we have bilingual registrars who collect information, and we have volunteer providers who do the actual testing,” said Dr. Wendy Klein, the medical director at Health Brigade. “There’s a lot of organizational work and a lot of staff safety officers, but you have to do this right.” 

Klein said that the Virginia Department of Health and the Richmond City Health Department have been very proactive in testing underserved and Spanish-speaking communities for COVID-19. 

If you go to one of these testing sites, this is the process you will follow: first, you will walk up and be given a number that corresponds to the number of test kits they have on hand. You will then wait in your car until you are directed to stand in a line. Klein said that they use the lines on the parking spots as indicators of where patients will stand because they are 9 feet apart from each other. Once you are in this line, volunteers in masks and other personal protective equipment will administer the tests. 

“We’re really lucky at Health Brigade because we’ve been given the nair swab,” said Dr. Katie Tyson, one of the volunteer providers. “So instead of having to go all the way back and feel like you’re getting a brain biopsy, these we just run around the inside of each nostril and it’s very gentle. It’s much safer for everybody because it doesn’t make people gag and cough and sputter.”

“Anyone who comes in and has seen a video of the nasopharyngeal swab or has had it done elsewhere, when I or the interpreter explain what we’re going to do, you see them relax. I always feel like, ‘It is your lucky day!’” said Tyson.

Klein said that come fall, there will likely be flu shot centers almost everywhere and made widely available.

“The Virginia Department of Health is very concerned about flu season and making sure everyone gets vaccinated,” said Klein, “because imagine the problem if there’s a bad flu going around, too.”

Health Brigade is located at 1010 N. Thompson St, in the upper Fan. If you’re seeking a test, arrive early, as they are only available each Saturday while supplies last.

Top Photo: Dr. Katie Tyson, courtesy Health Brigade

Governor Northam Signs $50 Per Month Insulin Cap

|

Topics: , , , , , , , ,

The passage of House Bill 66, sponsored by Delegate Lee Carter, gives Virginia the fourth-lowest insulin price cap in the country.

Gov. Ralph Northam recently signed a bill to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $50 per month, one of the lowest caps in the country.

House Bill 66, sponsored by Del. Lee Carter, D-Manassas, originally aimed to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $30 per month. By the time the bill passed the Senate, the cap was amended to $50 per month. 

Cheers and applause roared through the chamber when the bill seemed poised to unanimously pass the House, until a lone delegate changed their vote and groans replaced the cheers. But they still had something to celebrate –- Virginia will have the country’s fourth lowest insulin cap.

“For people that have diabetes, they tend to be on anywhere from five to eight medications. So even if they have good health insurance, paying copays anywhere from $5 or $10 per prescription adds up very quickly,” said Evan Sisson, professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy and vice-chairperson of the Virginia Diabetes Council. “So to be able to cap [insulin] is a huge benefit for patients.”

The Virginia Department of Health estimated in 2017 that 631,194, or 9 percent of Virginians, have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. 

Lee J. Carter on the campaign trail in 2017. Photo via CNS

The bill prohibits health insurance providers from charging a copay over $50 for a one-month supply, or from allowing or requiring a pharmacy to charge any more. The bill incorporates HB 1403, which was introduced by Del. James A. Leftwich, R-Chesapeake, and shares the same wording as Carter’s bill, but the copay amount was capped at $100.

“This bill is aimed at providing relief for those folks who have health insurance but can’t afford to use it; that is a vast swath of Virginia’s population,” Carter said during a Senate committee hearing. 

Insulin prices have risen so much in recent years that some diabetics have resorted to rationing their insulin, or traveling to Canada where the drug is much cheaper. According to Sisson, for someone with diabetes, especially Type 2, a lack of insulin can lead to major complications, and even be a matter of life or death.

“What the body does is it kicks into looking for other sources of energy other than glucose, and it starts to produce more fat,” Sisson said. “If you have more fat floating in the bloodstream, then you end up with more hardening of the arteries, of atherosclerosis. What that means is you have higher blood pressure, and higher risk of heart attack or stroke.” 

According to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, approximately 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes, with that number increasing by about 1.5 million every year.

Prior to the advent of insulin in the 1920s, someone diagnosed with diabetes was expected to die in a matter of months, with restrictive dieting extending that to as long as a couple of years. When Canadian researchers completed the development of insulin in 1922, they sold the patent to the University of Toronto for $1, hoping that everyone who was affected by diabetes would be able to benefit from the life-saving drug. 

Since then, the price has constantly increased, dramatically so over the past few decades. In 2009, a 10 milliliter vial of insulin cost between $90 and $100. Today, that same vial will cost between $250 and $300, even though little about the drug has changed.

Virginia Capitol. Taken from the General Assembly website.

When HB 66 was sent to the governor, only two other states in the U.S. had hard caps for insulin copays. The first to introduce one was Colorado in May 2019, and the second was Illinois in January. Both states have their caps at $100 per month. 

In March, governors of six other states signed legislation capping the price of insulin. New Mexico, Utah and Maine set their caps lower than Virginia’s at $25, $30 and $35, respectively. West Virginia, Washington and New York will set caps at $100.

The new cost in Virginia will be reflected in insurance plans starting Jan. 1, 2021, coinciding with plans purchased during the next round of open enrollment, Carter wrote on Twitter. He added, “The fact that it had to be done this way is a reflection of how generally screwed up our healthcare system is.”

Written by Will Gonzalez, Capital News Service. Top Photo: A diabetic patient using an insulin pump. Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

COVID-19 Disrupts Virginia Tourism Ahead Of Peak Season

|

Topics: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With the threat of coronavirus keeping everyone at home this spring, Virginia’s tourism industry — a significant piece of the state’s overall economy — is taking a major hit. Can it weather the storm?

Michael Moore has always enjoyed his job as wine trail guide with Top Shelf Transportation. He said the job is about more than wine.

“I get people anything they need,” Moore said. “I’m like a rolling concierge.” 

Moore, 71, works in the Monticello Wine Trail region, which ecompasses parts of Albermarle and Nelson counties and contains about 35 wineries. It is widely considered to be one of Virginia’s top wine regions. Moore has worked in the industry for the past seven years, after he retired as a graphic designer. But, in mid-March, his tours were cancelled due to Gov. Ralph Northam’s order to close non-essential businesses and ban gatherings of 10 or more to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“I guess I’m out of a job,” Moore said. “The whole industry has come to a screeching halt.”

Moore is not alone, and COVID-19 has not just impacted jobs in the state’s tourism industry. Since Northam’s order, there has been a sharp spike in unemployment rates, with 306,143 Virginians filing for unemployment insurance in the past three weeks.

Overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains at Grayson Highlands State Park. Photo credit: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Moore is not worried about his finances, but many people in the tourism industry are not as lucky. 

“It’s tough,” he said. “Some of the bigger wineries, they’ve got a cushion, but their workers are out of work. And it’s all part-time workers.”

Travel spending in Virginia plummeted after stay-at-home orders were announced around the country, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Spending was $521 million in Virginia the first week of March, but dipped to $119 million by the end of the month. Compared to last year’s numbers, travel spending in the state was down 78 percent the last week in March. Tourism is a major source of revenue for Virginia, pulling in $26 billion in 2018, according to the Virginia Tourism Corp. The industry accounted for 234,000 jobs that year. 

Andrew Cothern, communications manager for VTC, said Virginia attracts so many tourists because it has something for everyone.

“Virginia has a lot of different travel opportunities, whether the traveler’s interested in history or outdoor recreation or dining,” Cothern said. “There’s a lot of different reasons why people want to come to Virginia.”

Cothern said that COVID-19 has changed everything. 

“With the COVID-19 crisis going on, a lot of people are not traveling, obviously, and it’s closed down a lot of business,” Cothern said. 

The businesses hardest hit will be the ones that usually attract large crowds, he said. This might include museums, theaters, parks, restaurants, and wineries. VTC and others in the tourism industryare working to make some of these experiences virtual and earn a little revenue. For example, the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton is streaming recorded versions of the troupe’s 2020 performances. Tickets start at $10. 

Moore, however, cannot work from home. He said companies like the one he works for may be in jeopardy. 

“There will be some wine tour companies that will go out of business,” he said. “They’ve all got leases and cars and insurance they still have to pay for, even when they’re not touring.” 

Dominion Riverrock. Photo by CNS

Large scale events have been affected, like the ones produced by Venture Richmond, a nonprofit that organizes events in downtown Richmond. Venture Richmond canceled Dominion Riverock, one of its largest festivals held on Brown’s Island. Stephen Lecky, director of events for the organization, said losing the festival was a disappointment to everyone, including vendors. Lecky said the festival draws 100,000 to 150,000 people annually and they contract with hundreds of musicians, athletes and other vendors. 

“All these folks, food vendors and traveling vendors included, will not have this event and it will impact them financially,” Lecky said. 

Lecky said that once a festival is cancelled potential revenue is gone.

“That’s $2 to $3 million that we won’t be seeing,” he said, meaning the city, musicians and vendors.

Lecky also is concerned about Friday Cheers, a weekly concert series that Venture Richmond organizes. The event typically draws 3,000 to 5,000 people to Belle Isle between May and June, Lecky said. Venture Richmond has cancelled events through May and hopes to reschedule those musicians for later in the summer, but Lecky is worried people will be wary of large crowds. 

“If a vaccine is not available to people by September, October — will people truly feel safe and comfortable in large crowds and events like this?” Lecky said. 

Lecky said in the future, event coordinators will have to be more careful. 

“Events are going to have to be more proactive on ways they are doing things,” he said. “Do events go cashless? Are employees wearing gloves? Are you sanitizing more frequently? I think attendees are going to want to see these kinds of changes now.”

 Though more people are turning to outdoor recreation during the coronavirus outbreak, Virginia state and national parks are closing. The Rappahannock Rapidan Health District of the Virginia Department of Health recommended on April 8 the full closure of Shenandoah National Park, which has over 500 miles of hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy on April 3 formally requested permission to close the 2,193-mile trail through the end of the month. A long stretch of it winds through the state. 

Virginia State Parks have also taken a hit from COVID-19. The 38 parks attract 11 million visitors annually, with 45 percent of park spending coming from out-of-state visitors, according to Dave Neudeck, communications and marketing director for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Neudeck said the parks have canceled campground and cabin reservations through June 10. They have also closed visitor centers. 

“It’s definitely going to hit our budget because the revenues generated from our overnight facilities and our merchandise sales in our visitor centers are significant,” Neudeck said. 

Waterfall along the cabin creek trail at Grayson Highlands State Park. Photo credit: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Neudeck is optimistic about the future of the parks and said this crisis might make people more appreciative of nature. 

“What we are seeing right now is that more people are looking to parks and state parks to get outside and get that fresh air and get some exercise when they can,” he said. “Therefore, we are seeing a lot of first time visitors to our parks. The hope is that we’ll continue beyond when everything turns back to normal.” 

For now, many are making the best of the crisis. Moore is making masks for health care professionals. Lecky is attempting to rebook vendors for later festivals. Cothern said VTC will increase promotional materials once people are allowed to travel freely. All agreed that the tourism industry is resilient and people will come back to Virginia.

Written by Macy Pressley, Capital News Service. Top Photo: A stop sign in the Blue Ridge mountains. Photo by CNS