SAY "YES" TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS!

SB275

Medicaid managed car...

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email advocacy

SAY "YES" TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS!

Email Subject:

Dear [Your Elected Official],

Distinguished Members of the Committee & Elected Officials,
Virginia has an opportunity to strengthen healthcare for its most vulnerable residents through SB275, legislation that would formally integrate Community Health Workers (CHWs) into the Medicaid system.
Health outcomes are shaped far more by where people live, work, and age than by clinical care alone. Research consistently shows that only about 20% of health outcomes are driven by clinical services, while nearly 80% are influenced by social drivers of health (SDOH) such as housing stability, food access, transportation, and social connection. Yet our healthcare investments remain overwhelmingly focused on the clinical 20%.
Here’s what that looks like in real life: A patient visits the emergency room. They are treated, stabilized, and discharged. But the provider cannot go home with them.
That is because the remaining 80% of health happens in the community—in the conditions people return to once they leave the hospital.
Community Health Workers are uniquely positioned to address this imbalance.
CHWs are trusted members of the communities they serve—individuals with lived experience who understand cultural barriers, speak their neighbors' languages, and know how to navigate complex health and social service systems. They help seniors age in place, support pregnant mothers, assist individuals managing chronic conditions, and connect families to essential community-based resources that directly impact health outcomes.
Despite their proven value, CHWs in Virginia often work without sustainable funding or formal recognition within the healthcare system. SB275 would change that by directing state agencies to develop a comprehensive strategy for CHW integration, including Medicaid reimbursement pathways, care team integration, and workforce development—aligning healthcare spending with what truly drives health.
This is not just good policy—it is a smart investment. Evidence shows that CHWs reduce avoidable hospitalizations, improve health outcomes, and lower overall healthcare costs by addressing root causes before they become medical crises. By strengthening the community-based 80% of health, Virginia can reduce the strain on the clinical 20%.
As legislators consider SB275, our communities are watching. We need leadership that understands that healthcare does not begin in an exam room—it begins in our neighborhoods. Investing in CHWs is an investment in prevention, equity, and the long-term health of Virginia’s families.
Sincerely,

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential bridges between vulnerable Virginians and the healthcare they desperately need. This bill would create a sustainable, integrated system that benefits everyone—from patients to providers to taxpayers. Why SB275 Matters: For Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors: We often focus on what happens in the exam room, but that is only part of the story. Only about 20% of a person’s health outcomes are driven by clinical care. The remaining 80% happens in the community, after the appointment ends. Here’s what that looks like in real life: A patient leaves the hospital with discharge instructions and prescriptions. But they return home to an empty refrigerator, no reliable transportation to the pharmacy, and housing conditions that worsen their illness. A doctor cannot fix those challenges from a clinic. That is where Community Health Workers step in.  CHWs help ensure medications are picked up, connect families with food and housing resources, arrange transportation, and provide trusted follow-up to prevent conditions from escalating into emergencies. For Virginia’s seniors, people with disabilities, individuals managing chronic illness, and families navigating complex systems, this support is often the difference between stability and crisis. For Our Healthcare System: Hospitals, clinics, and care teams are stretched thin managing preventable emergencies rooted in unmet community needs. Integrating CHWs into Medicaid managed care strengthens care beyond the clinic walls—reducing ER visits, lowering hospital readmissions, and improving care coordination across the system. For Taxpayers and Payers: Every preventable hospitalization, missed medication, or unmanaged condition increases the state's costs/budget. CHWs are a cost-effective investment because they address problems early—before they become expensive medical emergencies—saving Medicaid dollars while improving outcomes. What SB275 Will Do: <ul> <li>Establish Medicaid reimbursement pathways for CHW services</li> <li>Embed CHWs into care coordination teams across Virginia</li> <li>Create workforce training opportunities for Medicaid and SNAP recipients</li> <li>Deploy CHWs to support high-need populations facing the greatest barriers to care</li> </ul> This Is Smart Policy: SB275 aligns healthcare investments with how health actually happens. By strengthening the community-based 80% of health, Virginia can reduce pressure on the clinical 20%—creating a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system. Urge your legislator to VOTE YES on SB275 and give Virginia’s Community Health Workers the support and integration they need to serve our communities effectively. Thank you for your leadership and for considering this critical legislation.

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Jennifer D. Carroll Foy Honorable Senator

Mark J. Peake Honorable Senator

Ryan T. McDougle Honorable Senator

Christopher T. Head� Honorable Senator

Danica A. Roem Honorable Senator

Michael J. Jones� Honorable Senator

Schuyler T. VanValkenburg Honorable Chair

Saddam Azlan Salim Honorable Senator

Emily M. Jordan Honorable Senator

Ryan T. McDougle Honorable Senator

Mark J. Peake Honorable Senator

Saddam Azlan Salim Honorable Senator

Timmy French Honorable Senator

Emily M. Jordan Honorable Senator

Michael J. Jones� Honorable Senator

Barbara A. Favola Honorable Senator

Christopher T. Head� Honorable Senator

Bryce E. Reeves Honorable Senator

Jennifer D. Carroll Foy Honorable Senator

Danica A. Roem Honorable Senator

Scott A. Surovell Honorable Senator

Bill DeSteph Honorable Senator