Wittman, Guthrie Host Health Care Roundtable

MECHANICSVILLE, VA – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) for a health care roundtable with local stakeholders in Mechanicsville, Virginia. The discussion focused on federal health care policy, the challenges facing providers and patients, and opportunities to improve access to affordable, high-quality care across Virginia's First District.

Participants discussed a range of issues affecting Virginia families and health care providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, rural and community hospital sustainability, mental health and substance use treatment, and access to critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

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“From rising health care costs to the challenges facing our rural hospitals and community providers, Virginians deserve a health care system that is affordable, accessible, and responsive to their needs,” said Rep. Wittman. “I appreciated the opportunity to welcome Chairman Guthrie to Virginia's First District and hear directly from those working on the front lines of health care delivery. Today's discussion covered critical priorities, including Medicare and Medicaid, the financial sustainability of our hospitals, mental health and substance use treatment, and support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. As someone who spent more than 26 years working in public health, I understand how important it is that federal health care policy reflects the real-world needs of our communities. I remain committed to lowering costs, strengthening our health care workforce, protecting access to care, and ensuring medical decisions remain between patients and their doctors.”

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Background:

Before serving in Congress, Congressman Wittman earned his master's degree in public health and spent more than 26 years working for the Virginia Department of Health. As co-chair of the Congressional Public Health Caucus, Wittman has prioritized lowering health care costs, expanding access to quality care, increasing transparency, and supporting policies that put patients and their doctors at the center of medical decisions.

Wittman has supported legislation to increase accountability for insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), lower prescription drug costs, streamline prior authorization requirements, and improve access to telehealth and specialty care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

He also supported the establishment of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative designed to strengthen rural health care delivery, improve access to essential services, support workforce development, and help rural providers modernize their operations. Virginia received approximately $189.5 million in first-year funding for 2026 to advance these priorities across the Commonwealth.

Wittman's legislative efforts include:

• Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148): Enacted reforms to strengthen oversight and transparency of pharmacy benefit managers, protect independent pharmacies, and extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 2027.
• Prior Authorization Accountability Act (H.R. 9396): Would increase transparency by requiring health insurers to publicly report claim denial rates and related information, including appeals and response times.
• Premium Transparency Act (H.R. 9397): Would increase accountability by requiring greater transparency regarding insurance company spending, administrative costs, and claims payments.
• Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514): Would modernize and streamline Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements to reduce unnecessary delays in treatment.
• Ensuring Access to Specialty Care Everywhere Act (H.R. 2533): Would improve access to specialty health services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including patients in rural and underserved communities.
• Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164): Would expand Medicare reimbursement opportunities for pharmacists providing certain testing and treatment services, helping patients access care through community pharmacies.