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Panel tables bill to clarify speech‑therapy coverage for stuttering
Summary
HB 64, intended to ensure speech therapy for stuttering is covered by plans that already include habilitative/rehabilitative services and to remove inappropriate limits, was laid on the table 9–0 for HERC review amid stakeholder discussion of caps and utilization rules.
Delegate Cole presented HB 64, saying it clarifies that health plans that already include habilitative and rehabilitative services must cover speech therapy when used to treat stuttering, remove inappropriate limits such as annual visit caps and restrict prior‑authorization and narrow medical‑necessity barriers.
Committee members raised questions about paragraph (c) and whether the bill would effectively require unlimited daily therapy; the patron said language could be worked out with stakeholders. Doug Grama of the Virginia Association of Health Plans said plans already cover habilitative services under federal law in certain markets and urged work to get details right; the committee agreed to request a HERC step‑2 analysis to resolve outstanding implementation questions.
The subcommittee voted to lay HB 64 on the table with a request for HERC review by a vote of 9–0.
