This week I have been pleased to accept an appointment to the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC). The commission was established in 1992 with this mission: “to ensure that the Commonwealth as provider, financier and regulator adopts the most cost effective and efficacious means of delivery of health care services so that the greatest number of Virginians receive quality health care.” The commission has 18 members, all legislators, and a staff of four. Delegate John O’Bannon (R-73rd) serves as commission chair. Dr.

Last week the General Assembly reconvened for a Special Session, passed a state budget and attempted to ensure that Governor McAuliffe would have no possible option of expanding Medicaid without securing full legislative concurrence. Two unexpected events had an enormous, and in my view, an unfortunate impact on the results of the Special Session.