Latest news with #Richmond-area
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Care is resistance.' Va. free health clinics strategize survival after state, federal funding cuts
Health Brigade executive director Karen Legato speaks at a town hall on May 29, 2025 to discuss state and federal funding cuts to Virginia's network of free clinics. Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury Amid federal and state funding cuts, freezes and delayed payments, the outlook is grim for free clinics in Virginia that have had to trim or halt some services, but there is hope, Health Brigade executive director Karen Legato said Thursday evening. 'Care is resistance,' she reiterated during a speech outside of the clinic's Thompson Street location in Richmond. Having first opened in 1970 as the Fan Free Clinic, what is now known as Health Brigade was the first free clinic established in Virginia. It is one of about 70 free clinics currently in the state that provide care to uninsured or underinsured people. The Thursday gathering brought workers, volunteers, supporters and patients of several Richmond-area free clinics together for a town hall to express concerns and frustrations and to brainstorm ways to keep doors open and patients served. Before her calls to action, Legato shared that Health Brigade alone has lost $1.8 million in state and federal funding over the past year. Programs that have taken a hit include ones that offer HIV/AIDS treatment and testing for diseases like Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis, as well as a clean syringe program that also provides naloxone kits — the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. 'We are witnessing the largest cut in the health care safety net that's ever been made,' Legato said. What happens to Medicaid in Virginia if massive federal bill to slash billions becomes law? In March, President Donald Trump's administration announced it was planning to pull back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for state and local public health departments. Virginia's Department of Health had to prematurely end three such grants, resulting in a loss of $219 million and about 500 employees, according to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Mercury. Among the crowd was Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, and a staff member representing Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield. Hashmi serves as the chair of the Senate's Education and Health committee while Willett had carried a budget amendment hoping to boost funding for Virgnia's free clinics that did not survive legislators' negotiations. Both lawmakers have noted that they're monitoring how federal actions are affecting Virginia. Willett said last week the state legislature could reconvene for a special session later this year — particularly if Congress and Trump achieve the steep cuts in federal Medicaid funding GOP lawmakers are pursuing as part of a 'big, beautiful bill' designed to shave trillions from the country's budget. The measure has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will be debated in the U.S. Senate this summer. As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and whether to make up the difference. At Thursday's town hall, some speakers recalled that Gov. Glenn Youngkin held back $900 million of Virginia's budget surplus pending federal government actions, and posited that some of that funding could bolster Virginia's free clinics or help support any federal Medicaid losses. Meanwhile about $1 billion is earmarked in the state budget for tax relief to Virginians — resulting in $200 for individuals or $400 for joint filers. While that cash could be beneficial to families in the short term, Legato said that money could be better spent investing in public health. 'While we're gutting this safety net, we're worried about getting some chump change back to people in Virginia. I think it's disgusting,' Legato said. Youngkin carves out $900 million as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty Her organization reached out to the Youngkin administration in recent weeks, she said, to nudge the state government about $300,000 in reimbursement payments it owes the clinic. She added that Health Brigade almost couldn't make payroll earlier in May. 'Some of the struggle we have had in the past year … is when you're having grants from the state … the safety net has to finance the state services until you get paid from the state.' A Youngkin spokesman didn't respond to request for comment by press time. As Health Brigade handles several public health services, it fronts the cost for testing and treatment and then seeks repayment from the state. 'When we run out of cash because we're waiting for the state to pay, we have to go to a line of credit to float us until those payments come in,' she said 'What that means for us is that our line of credit bottoms out. So we're at $500,000 on our line of credit right now. We can't get any more.' Other speakers included representatives from neighboring clinics, like CrossOver, which has lost $935,000, and Daily Planet, which is facing $1.3 million in cuts from federal grants and state-administered payments. In recent days, Daily Planet learned that federal funding for its 'Every Woman's Life' cancer screening program has been frozen, Dr. Patricia Cook, a chief medical officer, said. The program is meant to help uninsured and underinsured people catch breast or reproductive organ cancers early on. Detecting and treating illnesses early is something that Dr. Jeffry Reihl, an emergency medicine doctor, said is paramount to avoiding costly ER overflows and poorer health outcomes. 'I feel that this is going to flood our emergency departments with more and more patients who are sicker because they haven't gotten care as an outpatient they should have gotten,' he said. 'It's just going to make an overburdened system even more overburdened.' McClellan, Virginia Democrats warn of dire impact to state if proposed Medicaid cuts materialize His argument echoes that of U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, who has recently cautioned her congressional colleagues against cutting Medicaid. Without preventative care within reach, people will likely flood emergency rooms when they need care, McClellan said at a press conference last month. As hospitals are federally-required to provide care, uninsured patients who cannot pay can become a shared financial burden on taxpayers. 'These cuts are impacting multiple nonprofit health clinics, public health departments, hospitals and medical providers across the state,' Legato said Thursday as she connected the dots between how state and federal funding helps local health care providers serve the public. 'We are now on the verge of the feds taking a chainsaw to Medicaid, which will exacerbate the crisis of access to primary care for low-income residents and vulnerable community members.' To counter the current losses, Health Brigade plans to put the building it owns up for sale. It will lease space to operate from the future owner while it secures a new location down the line, she said. The organization also plans to host future town halls with other local health partners to discuss intersectional health issues like housing and homelessness, and to make calls to action for fundraising. 'Now is the time for courage, creativity and turning caring into action,' Legato said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New boil water advisory issued in Richmond, months after January water crisis
Anna Wilson fills jars and bottles from Wayside Spring in the Forest Hill neighborhood during a citywide water outage in Richmond, on Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for the Virginia Mercury) Richmond officials issued a new boil water advisory Tuesday for large swaths of the city, less than six months after a catastrophic water crisis left much of the region without safe drinking water for days. The latest advisory, announced by the city of Richmond in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, affects residents served by the Ginter Park Tank, including neighborhoods such as Byrd Park, Brookland Park, Carver, Carytown, Chamberlayne, the Fan, Jackson Ward, Oregon Hill, Randolph and the VCU Monroe Park campus. Some customers may experience total service loss or low pressure. Others may not notice a change, but officials urged all residents to conserve water immediately and to boil water before consuming it. 'This advisory comes after the city's water treatment plant experienced an operational issue in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 27, and after the water system had been restored to full production,' the city said in a statement. 'The filters re-clogged after running at full production for over an hour.' The pressure drop has impacted the Ginter Park tank, and while the city says it is monitoring efforts to restore full pressure, no timeline has been given. The city warned that the list of affected areas could grow if usage continues to outpace supply. 'As a cautionary measure, all residents are asked to conserve water to ensure all needs are met during this time,' the statement said. 'We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to our customers as new information becomes available.' Officials urged residents to avoid drinking tap water, making ice, brushing teeth, cooking, or washing food or dishes with unboiled tap water. Full water safety guidelines and neighborhood maps are available at The advisory is likely to draw renewed scrutiny to Richmond's water system, which remains under investigation following the massive January breakdown that left thousands without water or usable water pressure for nearly a week. In April, the Virginia Department of Health released a scathing 314-page report on the January event, calling it 'completely avoidable' and the result of 'a long chain of preventable failures' at the city's century-old Water Treatment Plant. 'This crisis could have been prevented with better operational decisions,' State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton said at the time. 'Our goal now is to ensure corrective actions are taken swiftly and effectively, so Richmond-area families can trust their water supply.' The report, based on an independent probe by the engineering firm Short Elliott Hendrickson, detailed a cascade of failures, such as untested batteries, broken valves and neglected emergency protocols. When a winter storm knocked out overhead power lines on Jan. 6, the plant's backup systems failed, flooding underground equipment rooms and halting production. The city's response was slow and, in many cases, ineffective. By the time Richmond issued a boil advisory that afternoon, pressure had already dropped dangerously low. Water systems in Henrico, Hanover and Goochland counties, which connect to Richmond's, were also impacted. Full restoration didn't come until Jan. 9, and the boil order wasn't lifted until Jan. 11. Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the disruption 'unacceptable' and said, 'It should never happen again.' As a result of the January failure, the city received a second formal notice of violation and is now under a mandate to develop and implement a corrective action plan. The SEH report identified over $63 million in additional needed improvements, on top of $60 million already proposed in the city's capital plan. Those upgrades include modernizing electrical systems, automating emergency operations, and redesigning the clearwell overflow system to prevent future floods. While Mayor Danny Avula said he was 'incredibly proud' of the work done so far by the Department of Public Utilities, the VDH's findings painted a picture of what one official called a 'culture of complacency,' where temporary workarounds were the norm and long-standing vulnerabilities went unresolved. Now, just weeks later, the system has suffered another setback. The city said it will continue to post updates on its website and social media platforms. Residents are encouraged to check those resources regularly and to follow all water safety precautions until the advisory is lifted. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Axios
14-05-2025
- Axios
Weapons scanners coming to Chesterfield schools after threats
All of Chesterfield's middle and high schools will have weapons scanners by the time students come back in August. Why it matters: The decision comes after a year that's seen Chesterfield schools face lockdowns and closures because of multiple fake shooting threats, a Meadowbrook High student stabbed in the hallway and a 14-year-old bringing a gun to school. Driving the news: The School Board unanimously approved the scanners Tuesday night, making the county one of the last Richmond-area school systems to add them. The vote follows intensifying concerns from parents and staff about school violence and a need for more safety measures. Zoom out: It also puts Chesterfield in line with Richmond, which has had metal detectors in its middle and high schools for over a year. Henrico added weapons scanners to its elementary schools last year, after already placing them in its other schools in 2023. Hanover only uses them for major athletic events. By the numbers: CCPS is paying nearly $2.8 million to purchase about 150 weapons scanners. They'll have an annual cost of almost $150,000 for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is John Reid, the gay MAGA Republican that Virginia's GOP governor wants off the statewide ballot?
John Reid made history this month as Virginia's first openly gay nominee for statewide office on a Republican ticket. Less than two weeks later, he finds himself isolated from many in his own party, refusing calls to step aside and accusing GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's political action committee of extortion. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. The internal conflict erupted after The Richmonder reported the existence of a Tumblr account bearing a username Reid uses on other social media platforms, featuring sexually explicit images of men. The Washington Post confirmed the account's removal and reported that Youngkin personally called Reid on Friday to ask him to withdraw from the lieutenant governor race. Reid, a former Richmond-area radio talk show host and conservative journalist, has denied any connection to the account. In a Friday video posted on X, formerly Twitter, Reid criticized the attacks against him, saying he had faced threats after becoming the party's presumptive nominee. Reid said he had been shown photos of himself at a drag show in Richmond, which he defended as unrelated to the controversy. 'As I've said over and over on the radio and in my speeches, drag is not for kids, but really, who cares what adults watch or what they do in an of-age restaurant or bar or club?' Reid said. Republicans around the country have called drag grotesque and worthy of banning from public display. Reid also addressed scrutiny over his personal life. 'Have I seen porn? Yes. Have I had one-night stands? Yes. Are my exes all still in love with me? No,' he said. 'What more can I possibly tell you, and why am I the candidate who has to answer these questions? Let's be honest. It's because I'm openly gay, and I have never bowed down to the establishment, and I will not.' In a second video posted Sunday afternoon, first reported by Virginia Mercury, Reid escalated his accusations, alleging that a representative of Youngkin's Spirit of Virginia PAC offered to 'purchase the opposition research' if he agreed to leave the race. 'This is extortion and it is illegal in Virginia, and I'm more outraged now,' Reid said. 'The insiders in Virginia politics made a big miscalculation if they thought that I would bow down to anyone or run away scared.' Youngkin's political operation has not responded to Reid's allegations or multiple media inquiries. Under Virginia law, threatening a person's reputation for personal or financial gain can constitute a Class 5 felony. However, legal experts caution that proving criminal conduct would require more than public accusations. Eric Claville, a legal analyst at Norfolk State University, told Virginia Mercury that, at this point, both sides are 'speculating,' and the case remains firmly in the realm of political damage rather than legal liability. The Republican Party's leadership has largely remained silent. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, now the GOP nominee for governor, canceled campaign events scheduled with Reid over the weekend, citing weather-related travel issues, and has yet to comment publicly. According to Virginia Scope, an event scheduled for Wednesday in Henrico County featuring the Republican statewide ticket—with Youngkin as a special guest—was canceled. Despite the pressure, Reid has vowed to remain in the race. 'I'm the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and I'm more transparent and I'm more conservative, and I'm tougher than any of my detractors,' Reid said Sunday. 'I'm not going anywhere except to get back on the campaign trail, win this election, and take these people to court.' Reid's name will remain on the ballot for Virginia's June 17 Republican primary unless he voluntarily withdraws. Early voting begins Friday. He became the nominee after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity exited the race, citing health issues. The stakes are high for Republicans. The party had promoted Reid's candidacy as part of its most diverse statewide ticket alongside Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is Hispanic, and Earle-Sears, who is Black. The controversy threatens to divide an already fragile coalition heading into November's elections. At campaign events over the weekend, Reid received support from grassroots activists and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, who pledged loyalty to the nominee without naming him directly. Some attendees voiced full support, while others expressed discomfort. 'I'm not real fond of the fact that he's a homosexual,' Washington County Supervisor Charlie Hargis told The Washington Post. 'But as long as he's doing the job, that's his business.' The struggle for LGBTQ+ representation in Republican politics is not new. Last week, former Republican Rep. George Santos — the first out gay GOP congressman elected without hiding his identity — was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for fraud. Whether Reid can survive the controversy — and whether the party can survive its internal fractures — remains an open question.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is John Reid, the gay MAGA Republican that Virginia's GOP governor wants off the statewide ballot?
John Reid made history this month as Virginia's first openly gay nominee for statewide office on a Republican ticket. Less than two weeks later, he finds himself isolated from many in his own party, refusing calls to step aside and accusing GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's political action committee of extortion. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. The internal conflict erupted after The Richmonder reported the existence of a Tumblr account bearing a username Reid uses on other social media platforms, featuring sexually explicit images of men. The Washington Post confirmed the account's removal and reported that Youngkin personally called Reid on Friday to ask him to withdraw from the lieutenant governor race. Reid, a former Richmond-area radio talk show host and conservative journalist, has denied any connection to the account. In a Friday video posted on X, formerly Twitter, Reid criticized the attacks against him, saying he had faced threats after becoming the party's presumptive nominee. Reid said he had been shown photos of himself at a drag show in Richmond, which he defended as unrelated to the controversy. 'As I've said over and over on the radio and in my speeches, drag is not for kids, but really, who cares what adults watch or what they do in an of-age restaurant or bar or club?' Reid said. Republicans around the country have called drag grotesque and worthy of banning from public display. Reid also addressed scrutiny over his personal life. 'Have I seen porn? Yes. Have I had one-night stands? Yes. Are my exes all still in love with me? No,' he said. 'What more can I possibly tell you, and why am I the candidate who has to answer these questions? Let's be honest. It's because I'm openly gay, and I have never bowed down to the establishment, and I will not.' In a second video posted Sunday afternoon, first reported by Virginia Mercury, Reid escalated his accusations, alleging that a representative of Youngkin's Spirit of Virginia PAC offered to 'purchase the opposition research' if he agreed to leave the race. 'This is extortion and it is illegal in Virginia, and I'm more outraged now,' Reid said. 'The insiders in Virginia politics made a big miscalculation if they thought that I would bow down to anyone or run away scared.' Youngkin's political operation has not responded to Reid's allegations or multiple media inquiries. Under Virginia law, threatening a person's reputation for personal or financial gain can constitute a Class 5 felony. However, legal experts caution that proving criminal conduct would require more than public accusations. Eric Claville, a legal analyst at Norfolk State University, told Virginia Mercury that, at this point, both sides are 'speculating,' and the case remains firmly in the realm of political damage rather than legal liability. The Republican Party's leadership has largely remained silent. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, now the GOP nominee for governor, canceled campaign events scheduled with Reid over the weekend, citing weather-related travel issues, and has yet to comment publicly. According to Virginia Scope, an event scheduled for Wednesday in Henrico County featuring the Republican statewide ticket—with Youngkin as a special guest—was canceled. Despite the pressure, Reid has vowed to remain in the race. 'I'm the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and I'm more transparent and I'm more conservative, and I'm tougher than any of my detractors,' Reid said Sunday. 'I'm not going anywhere except to get back on the campaign trail, win this election, and take these people to court.' Reid's name will remain on the ballot for Virginia's June 17 Republican primary unless he voluntarily withdraws. Early voting begins Friday. He became the nominee after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity exited the race, citing health issues. The stakes are high for Republicans. The party had promoted Reid's candidacy as part of its most diverse statewide ticket alongside Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is Hispanic, and Earle-Sears, who is Black. The controversy threatens to divide an already fragile coalition heading into November's elections. At campaign events over the weekend, Reid received support from grassroots activists and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, who pledged loyalty to the nominee without naming him directly. Some attendees voiced full support, while others expressed discomfort. 'I'm not real fond of the fact that he's a homosexual,' Washington County Supervisor Charlie Hargis told The Washington Post. 'But as long as he's doing the job, that's his business.' The struggle for LGBTQ+ representation in Republican politics is not new. Last week, former Republican Rep. George Santos — the first out gay GOP congressman elected without hiding his identity — was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for fraud. Whether Reid can survive the controversy — and whether the party can survive its internal fractures — remains an open question.
