Tell the Governor to support School Nurses

Every school should have a registered nurse, but not every school district has the money to support an RN in every school. In the fall of 2021, Virginia submitted a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take advantage of flexibility offered to states to allow schools to bill Medicaid for school health services for ALL Medicaid eligible students. The reimbursements for such services would make it financially feasible for school divisions to significantly expand school health services to Medicaid-eligible students and provide a revenue stream for critical health professionals such as a registered nurse in every school. We call on the Governor to designate staff to facilitate collaboration between the Department of Medicaid Assistance Services, the Virginia Department of Education and the Local Education Agency so that school districts can access this crucial sustainable funding as soon as possible.

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Dear Governor Youngkin,

I live in Virginia and I support using Medicaid to support a nurse in every school. In the fall of 2021, Virginia submitted a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take advantage of flexibility offered to states to allow schools to bill Medicaid for school health services for ALL Medicaid eligible students. Medicaid reimbursements would make it financially feasible for school divisions to significantly expand school health services to Medicaid-eligible students and provide a revenue stream for critical health professionals such as a registered nurse in every school. 

Voices for Georgia's Children estimated that the state’s expansion to allow reimbursement for school nurses would bring in an additional $48.6 million in federal revenue to their school-based Medicaid program!  VA kids need your help. The Department of Medical Assistance expects CMS to approve the Virginia SPA any day. Please designate staff to build cross-agency collaboration between the Department of Medical Assistance, the Virginia Department of Education, and Local Education Agencies so that school districts can access this crucial sustainable funding as soon as possible.   

We appreciate your attention and hard work to build a healthier Virginia.

Sincerely,