Del. Peace meets with constituents from the health care community

For decades culminating with ObamaCare, America's health care system has increasingly moved away from free market principles leading to compromised access to care and higher costs. So when the Hospital Corporation of America Virginia, also known as HCA-Virginia, announced its common sense proposal earlier this year to construct a freestanding emergency center in New Kent County, I wrote wholeheartedly in support of that private venture enhancing health care in my district. In addition to improving access to quality health care in New Kent, this Center will provide local good paying jobs and be a boost to the local economy in the wake of the closing of Colonial Downs. HCA's proposal was a refreshing and positive change to the landscape: a private, for-profit hospital system believed it was good business to invest non-taxpayer funds in a predominately rural county and as a result improve access to quality health care services. With a decade of legislative service to New Kent county residents and as a leading voice on our House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee there is no doubt in my mind that this wonderful county needs this valuable investment to improve quality of life, spark economic growth and job creation, and most importantly, save lives. But after an absurd recent bureaucratic health department recommendation to deny the project, I am concerned not just about this particular project's approval but for the future of healthcare in Virginia. Next Session, the General Assembly needs to examine and implement overdue, comprehensive reform of our system.

  

Many Virginians may be surprised to learn that healthcare providers that want to use certain equipment or offer advanced healthcare services such equipment as MRI or a CT machines are required to ask the state health department for permission to pursue such business decisions. As part of its New Kent ER, HCA would naturally like to offer MRI and CT imaging services. After all, these essential services are needed to properly treat patients, and without this equipment, patients may have to be transferred to another facility, costing valuable time and risking outcomes. The initial state review denied HCA's request, along with similar requests from the VCU Health System and Bon Secours Richmond Health System. Their perfunctory analysis relies on old data and audaciously suggests that residents can visit another free standing ER in Chesterfield or one in Goochland.