Healthcare

HB10-Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act
In 2010 Delegate Marshall introduced HB 10 which exempted Virginians from Obamacare and its requirements to purchase individual health care insurance. It also disallowed the Federal Government from imposing penalties on citizens who decline to purchase said health insurance.
 
HB 10 and other similar bills which passed the General Assembly allowed Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to file suit against the Federal Government questioning the Constitutionality of a Flaw that requires citizens to purchase a good or service and penalizes them for doing nothing (ie. not purchasing health insurance).
 
So far Virginia has won all but one of the rulings on this issue. The one ruling against Virginia came from three judges that were democrat appointments. This case will be taken to the Supreme Court and Delegate Marshall believes the high court will rule with Virginia on this case.
 
Autism
Require Autistic children’s health insurance benefits – cost of $1.60-1.90 a month.  I introduced HB 1588, with 28 co-patrons in 2009 and HB 34 in 2010.  A similar bill finally passed in 2011.  I am proud to have been a part of extending health insurance coverage for one of the best treatment methods for autism.

Unemployment Health Benefits
Provide Health insurance for unemployed if they pay 35% of premium (HB 2024)

Stem Cell Therapy
One of the most promising treatments in medicine is the use of stem cells from adults, and cord blood after birth.  My law set up a “Stem Cell Study Commission,” which I chair.  This Commission has recommended the use of adult stem cells for ethical and FDA approved therapies, and primarily to protect first responders.

Gardasil Vaccine
I opposed mandatory vaccination requirements for inoculating 9-11 year olds with Merck Company’s “Guardasil” because there is no track record of long term use on side effects or future reproductive complications that would affect young women as they grow up.  The American Medical Association also opposed mandated Guardisil shots.  Unfortunately the legislature passed this measure.  I asked the Governor to include a broad opt-out provision to the bill, which he did, and which I supported.

I attempted to amend the measure to provide that if the drug is shown to cause birth defects or future reproductive impairments, that the State of Virginia would accept liability for mandating the vaccination.  Unfortunately, this amendment was rejected.  Big Pharma’s heavy lobbying won on this measure.  Also, Governor Kaine awarded Merck $800,000 in tax money to begin manufacturing the Guardasil Vaccine at a new plant in Virginia.