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Priority bills in Nebraska Legislature aim at health care – Omaha World-Herald

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LINCOLN Near the halfway point of this years legislative session, every Nebraska lawmaker has named their personal priority bill that will set the tone for the remaining 31 days.

Roughly a dozen state senators named health care issues as their priorities, while several others emphasized workforce development and tax reform. Also among the priority bills are a handful that may foreshadow a return to the rancorous debates seen last year.

Lawmakers had until Thursday to name their one personal priority bill for the session. Legislative committees had the same deadline to name up to two priority bills, and over this weekend, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch is considering what 25 bills will be his speaker priorities for the year.

Priority bills are generally given preference by the speaker when scheduling the daily agendas for floor debates. Now that all individual and committee priority bills have been named, Arch said those measures will start coming up more frequently.

From here on out, it will almost exclusively be priority bills on the floor, Arch said.

Health care rose to the top as one of the most popular subjects prioritized this session, including bills to close an insurance loophole for colonoscopies, establish a prescription drug donation program, and expand services for mothers at risk of adverse birth outcomes.

Leading into the session, many lawmakers pinned tax reform and workforce development solutions such as affordable housing, education and child care improvements as top issues for the Legislature to focus on this year.

Those issues came up on the priority list as well, particularly among committee priority bills. Among individual priorities, however, they were a bit more scarce. There is a bill from State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha to subsidize child care for child care workers, a bill from Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood to eliminate the inheritance tax, and a bill from Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln to eliminate barriers to obtaining work licenses.

Conrad said she considers the high number of health care bills as part of the push to pass workforce development proposals. She said that health care is directly tied to workforce challenges and that the prioritized health care bills would help Nebraskas working families.

Overall, Conrad said she was happy with what bills were prioritized this year, saying they help reset the tone from the drama-filled debates that ate up much of last years session. Lawmakers are leaning back into the Legislatures nonpartisan structure, she said, which helps with collaboration on policies that will help Nebraskans most.

Its how its supposed to be in the Nebraska Legislature, Conrad said.

However, there are still several priority bills that are likely to turn into a fight if they make it to floor debates. Most notably, there is Legislative Bill 575, dubbed the Sports and Spaces Act, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. The bill would restrict access to K-12 school bathrooms and locker rooms on the basis of biological sex and would add similar restrictions to most school sports teams.

Last year, Kauth prioritized LB 574, which restricted access to gender-affirming care for people under 19. An amendment late in the session also tightened Nebraskas abortion restrictions to 12 weeks, and the combination measure passed. It was the most contentious bill of the session, and was the reason for a session-long filibuster led by one of the bills opponents. Kauth said she expects LB 575 to also be filibustered if it gets to the floor.

The bill has been stuck in committee since last year, but Kauth said she isnt concerned. She said lawmakers are holding the bill in committee until the Legislature gets closer to all-day floor debates, which begin in March. That way, if the bill gets filibustered, its less likely to take up multiple days for each of its three rounds, she said.

Arch said he plans to spread out the controversial priority bills in his agenda scheduling, mixing simpler bills in between to give lawmakers time to negotiate. Part of the challenge of the speakers job, he said, is anticipating how much time is needed for each agenda item.

You cant just back up difficult bills and run them back to back, Arch said.

Another possible floor fight is expected on LB 1009, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. The bill would adjust the abortion restrictions passed last year to add an exception for cases of fatal fetal anomalies, and clarify that women who receive abortions cannot be charged with criminal penalties.

Riepe proposed a 12-week abortion ban last year as an amendment to a measure that would have set Nebraskas abortion restrictions at six weeks. After that bill failed, other senators drafted an amendment to add a 12-week abortion ban to LB 574. Riepe voted to support it, but he says he didnt like the legislation that passed and blames himself for not working harder to fix it.

Riepe has made it clear that LB 1009 doesnt relate to elective abortions, but instead makes it possible for expectant mothers to receive abortions if two physicians agree that her pregnancy isnt viable. He said many women dont learn about fatal fetal anomalies until after the 12-week mark, and says it isnt fair to expect them to carry their pregnancies to term when they know the outcome.

State government is not the place to have a law on this, Riepe said.

Although Riepe framed his bill as a reasonable alternative between easing Nebraskas abortion laws and restricting them further, he said he doesnt expect to see much support from either side of the debate. Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who has led the charge for increased abortion restrictions in the Legislature, has said she opposes LB 1009, but Riepe said he hopes to find support from other conservative lawmakers.

Other highlights of this years priority bills include:

Obscenity LB 441, introduced and prioritized by Albrecht, would repeal an existing exemption from prosecution, thus making it possible for people working in K-12 schools to be charged with a misdemeanor if they provide obscene materials to minors.

Felons LB 20, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and prioritized by Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, would restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies once they complete their sentence.

Sex trafficking Constitutional amendment, LR 277CA, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would give Nebraska voters the opportunity to set a minimum life sentence for people convicted of sex or labor trafficking of a minor. All constitutional amendments, once passed by the Legislature, are put on the ballot and require voter approval before taking effect.

Scholarships LB 1402, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, would appropriate $25 million to be distributed in grants to scholarship-granting organizations that help students attend private and parochial schools.

Last year, Linehan introduced LB 753, which appropriated funds for tax credits to go to individuals and entities that donated to similar scholarship-granting organizations. That bill, which eventually passed the Legislature, is facing a possible repeal through a voter referendum, but LB 1402 would nullify that effort. Linehan said if LB 1402 passes, she would support a repeal of LB 753.

National Guard LB 1394, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, would exempt Nebraska National Guard members from income taxes they incur through payments they received on duty.

Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason poses for a portrait in his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Omaha Bryan's Abdrirahman Unle jumps into the arms of coach Jason Susnja after pinning North Plate's Tyler Haneborg for during the Class A 113-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Omaha Skutt's Kaylyn Harrill, left, wrestles Columbus Lakeview's Lacy Lemburg during the Girls 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Millard West's Enrique Haynes celebrates his win over Omaha Creighton Prep's Presden Sanchez in the Class A 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Auburn's Ayden Smith, facing, and Bennington's Lane Welchert compete in the first round of the Class B 106-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Grand Island's Kim Gonzalez, right, and Pierce's Maggie Painter compete in the first round of the girls 120-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Battle Creek's Ashton Kuchar, facing, and Hi-Line's Parker Schutz compete in the second round of the Class C 126-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Omaha North's Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch and Chadron's Josey Werner compete in the first round of the girls 100-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Beatrice's Tristan Reinke, left, wrestles Bennington's Brodee Scobee during the first round of the Class B 132-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Lincoln North Star's Colton Hauschild celebrates his win over Bellevue East's Dillon Ginter during the first round of the Class A 165-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Hershey's Ethan Elliott, right, tries to pin North Bend Central's Zac Mullally during the first round of the Class C132 -pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark (22) reacts while answering questions from the media in the post game press conference after the Hawkeyes were defeated by Nebraska, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska's Alexis Markowski (40) embraces her father, Andy, after the Huskers defeated Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska players celebrate with fans after defeating Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska's Jacob Van Dee celebrates his win over Michigan's Dylan Ragusin during a 133-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Nebraska's Caleb Smith picks up Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Nebraska's Caleb Smith top. wrestles Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Community members and politicians walk along 24th Street during a Martin Luther King Jr. Keep the Dream Alive March in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The walk was postponed by weather from MLK Day in January.

The sun rises over Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

David Wright, of Bellevue, and his son Michael Wright, of Papillion, ice fish in an insulated shelter on Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. You can spend time with your friends, family," David Wright said. "Its not so much about the fishing."

Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) wipes the sweat from his face late in the second half against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Augusto Cassi (0), left, and Finley Bizjack (13) celebrate an upset of Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Jahmyl Telfort (11), left, and Andre Screen (23) try to steal the ball from Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) celebrates a three-point basket against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Finley Bizjack (13) chases a loose ball in the second half against Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton's Baylor Scheierman (55), right, helps Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) after they lost to Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton fans react to a Butler basket in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) gets ready for a shot against St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Omaha takes on St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) looks to pass the ball around St. Thomass Brooks Allen (4) at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Looking north on 13th Street from Hickey Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood toward downtown Omaha.

Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.

Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.

Wrestlers warm up with jump ropes during practice at Omaha Bryan High School in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Omaha Bryan will be in the state duals for the first time in program history

ebamer@owh.com Twitter @ErinBamer

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Priority bills in Nebraska Legislature aim at health care - Omaha World-Herald

VA’s money-squeezed free clinics offer a vital helping hand – Richmond Times-Dispatch

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It was only after the death of her husband in 2018, a year after their children sponsored their immigration to the U.S. from Venezuela, that Tatijana Kowalchuk began paying attention to the dizziness that made walking a challenge and shaking hands that made her writing a mess.

And so did the staff at Richmonds Health Brigade free clinic, who found a nearly quarter-inch tumor pressing on her brain.

The staff at Richmonds Health Brigade free clinic found a nearly quarter-inch tumor pressing on Tatijana Kowalchuk's brain. The clinic continues to offer her care and support.

She did not have the money to do anything about it and these days, Virginias free clinics are short of the resources they need to help people who, like the Kowalchuks, fall between the many cracks in the American health care system, which is why Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, and state Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, are asking the General Assembly to lend a hand.

At the clinic, once staff found treatment for the usual explanation of dizziness middle ear problems was not helping Kowalchuk, they quickly arranged for a neurologist to examine her, free of charge, as well as for the MRI scan that found the tumor.

It was big; the surgery would cost a lot, Kowalchuk said. Health Brigade stepped in again, working long-nurtured connections with surgeons and hospitals to arrange the operation, again free of charge, and to negotiate a discount and payment plan for Kowalchuk to afford follow-up scans.

Tatijana Kowalchuk and medical case manager Robert Key talk at Health Brigade in Richmond on Feb. 13 about how much they mean to each other. Kowalchuk calls Key her guardian angel.

As new, if elderly immigrants, sponsored by their children, the Kowalchuks could not get Medicare and from what they had heard about the cost of health care here, doing something about Wladimiro Kowalchuks cancer scare was a frightening prospect.

Robert was my husbands angel. His guardian angel. He is my angel, said Kowalchuk, referring to the clinics veteran medical case manager, Robert Key, who took the lead helping the couple navigate his cancer treatment and later her surgery.

Virginias 60-plus free clinics provide care to some 75,000 people a year, amounting to some $114 million in 2022. It is a distinctive kind of care, too: focused on all of the needs a patient might have including some that do not always come to mind when people feel they need to see a doctor.

Kowalchuk saw the difference several months after her surgery. She had come back from a trip to her attic with a painful rash on both hands.

I called dermatologists and they said they could give me an appointment in two or three months, she said. The pain is really strong, Id say, but it didnt make any difference.

A visit to a hospital emergency room prompted a suggestion to see a dermatologist. She stumped three doctors at a local doc-in-a-box.

I finally came to Health Brigade, she said.

The nurse looked at my hands and said; Thats an infection the ER doctor said it wasnt that, Kowalchuk said. She said, Ill give you an antibiotic; if it is not better in two days come back and well figure it out. The first day I was a little better; the second day, a lot better.

It is paying attention, maybe even more than being able to offer free access to care, that is the key to what free clinics provide, said Karen Legato, Health Brigades executive director.

We look at the whole person," said Karen Legato, the executive director of the Health Brigade free clinic. "Its not the transactional model."

We look at the whole person ... its not the transactional model, she said.

That means, for instance, making sure a patients electricity is on and that they have enough food. Health Brigade will arrange connection with food pantries, for instance, and can help people access emergency help with utilities to make sure they are warm enough in winter and not overheating in a summer hot spell. If transportation is a problem, case managers and social workers figure out ways to deal with that.

Health Brigades distinctive outreach efforts, like its syringe exchange program, take similar extra steps, when staffers offer COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, clothing in the winter, and assessments of other medical or dental needs as well as a path to getting them treated.

But that whole-person approach, especially in the wake of COVID-19, is swamping Virginias free clinic network.

Coverage through Medicaid was expanded, and all of a sudden, people who werent insured were coming in, Legato said. We had people who didnt know what they had, and we were finding complex, chronic conditions ... and now that Medicaid is going away for them, theyre on our rolls and were taking care of them.

The free clinics compete with hospitals and private practices for physicians, nurses and other medical staff. Staffing accounts for about 80% of Health Brigades budget, for instance free clinics do get a bit of a break on the biggest driver of medical cost increases in other parts of the health care system: prescription drugs.

It takes a big heart to do this, but people need to be paid, Legato said. Even so, a nurse practitioner here may be making 30% less than in private practice.

Theres been a squeeze, too, on the heart of the free clinic model: the volunteers.

COVID-19 kept many away, as clinics tried their best to make sure they did not become hotspots. Statewide shortages in some specialties behavioral health is a particular problem mean many volunteers who used to pitch in cannot find the time and relief from their own patients demand to spare.

That has meant larger paid staffs than had been the pre-pandemic pattern.

Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, said budget amendments proposed by Carr and Favola would offer some relief.

Virginias free and charitable clinics are the backbone of our Commonwealths health care safety net, Carr said in a statement.

With Medicaid unwinding and the end of pandemic relief as well as increased economic pressures disproportionately affecting underserved communities, the need to sustain free clinics has never been greater, she said.

The amendments call for a $5 million-a-year bump in state funds for the clinics, for an annual total of $10.3 million. The current $5.3 million a year was set in 2016, with the idea of covering about 30% of the clinics costs. It currently accounts for about 18%, Phillips said. The clinics operating costs since then have climbed 170%.

If you look at clinics in 2016 and now, youll see big differences, too, Phillips said. Theyre adding dental care, wraparound supports for the social determinants of health; food pantries, even delivering food and showing people how to cook unfamiliar food.

Tatijana Kowalchuk relies on a free clinic Richmonds Health Brigade for care and for support.

And in the end, it is the staff paid and volunteer and the way they see the people who need their services, that make a difference.

So in spotting a concern in Kowalchuks once-every-six-month lab tests for a kidney issue last December, her nurse asked her to come in for another test last month, and with that suggested an every-three-month schedule just to be sure my kidneys are still OK, Kowalchuck said.

You know, they also have a mental health service, she said. Theyve been a real help after my husband died ... I can get down ... I have my daughter and her husband, my neighbor shes very nice but I really dont know many people here.

Brianne Chapman, center, holds up sign near members of the Kekoa Virginia Militia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, speaks during a Second Amendment Rights rally on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Demonstrators march toward the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Demonstrators put down signs before entering the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Demonstrators enter the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Demonstrators enter the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Demonstrators put down signs before entering the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Demonstrators wait to enter the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Assaddique Abdul-Rahman, and organizer with New Virginia Majority, leads a chant during a demonstration in support of various bills outside of the General Assembly building at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Assaddique Abdul-Rahman, and organizer with New Virginia Majority, leads a chant during a demonstration in support of various bills outside of the General Assembly building at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Demonstrators enter the General Assembly building at the state Capitol in support of various bills on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The march was organized by New Virginia Majority.

Young demonstrators attend a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Demonstrators attend a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmith, speaks to a crowd during a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Demonstrators attend an afternoon gun safety rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day on Monday.

Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmith, speaks to a crowd during a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Young demonstrators attend a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Demonstrators attend a gun safety rally at the state Capitol.

A demonstrator holds a sign at a gun safety rally at the state Capitol on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

During the Omega Psi Phi Lobby Day session, Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, responds to questions from Fairfax County resident Robert Fairchild, right, about her priorities for the 2024 General Assembly.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, speaks during a Second Amendment Rights rally on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

A flag is waved during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Virginians on both sides of the gun debate make their case during Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday. Brianne Chapman holds up a sign near members of the Kekoa Virginia Militia during a Second Amendment rights rally hosted by the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

A demonstrator, who goes by Rustpit, stands in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Cam Edwards of Farmville speaks at the state Capitol during a Second Amendment rights rally hosted by the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

Del. Delores Oates, R-Warren, speaks during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Brianne Chapman holds up sign near members of the Kekoa Virginia Militia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Members of the Kekoa Virginia Militia hold guns during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Demonstrators hold flags in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Demonstrators stands in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

A demonstrator holds up a sign at the state Capitol on Lobby Day during a gun rights rally hosted by the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

Jason Hazelwood holds a flag in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Eddir Garcia, a Republican Senate candidate, speaks to demonstrators in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

A demonstrator, who goes by Rustpit, stands in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia on Monday during a Second Amendment rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League.

Jason Hazelwood holds a flag in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia during a Second Amendment Rights rally hosted by Virginia Citizens Defense League on Lobby Day on Monday, Jan 15, 2024.

Jess Bookout, left, and Leslie Floyd attend Lobby Day to talk about early childhood education.

Virginians stand in the lobby of the General Assembly Building on Monday.

Virginians gathered for Lobby Day at the Virginia General Assembly include People wearing Guns Save Lives stickers in the lobby of the General Assembly Building.

On Lobby Day, Madison Brumbaugh, second from left, vice president of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia, speaks with lawmakers, including Del. Michael Jones, D-Richmond, left; Del. Chris Obenshain, R-Montgomery; and Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg.

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VA's money-squeezed free clinics offer a vital helping hand - Richmond Times-Dispatch