Two public commenters—an OB‑GYN addiction‑medicine physician and an addiction‑research graduate student—urged the commission to treat substance‑use disorder as a leading cause of pregnancy‑associated deaths, to reduce stigma that blocks breastfeeding, and to centralize data to track substance‑exposed infants across pregnancy and postpartum.

Counsel and Delegate LaVere Bowling told the subcommittee that HB 1468 sought a direct insurer mandate for certified doula coverage but core policy was incorporated into omnibus HB 328; members flagged implementation gaps on timing, reimbursement, and access and asked agencies (HIRC, Bureau of Insurance, DMAS) and community doulas to brief the subcommittee.

The committee reported HB425, a bill to expand Medicaid coverage for remote patient monitoring during pregnancy and through 12 months postpartum for high‑risk individuals and those 35 and older, and referred it to the Finance Committee (Ayes 15, No 0).

The subcommittee amended HB283 to focus narrowly on opioid-use disorder treatment, saying the change clarifies that taking prescribed medication for addiction should not by itself be considered child abuse; the measure passed out of committee as amended amid support from medical groups and some expert caution.

Supporters say exempting pregnancy- and infant-related projects from Virginia's Certificate of Public Need would expand access in underserved areas; hospital groups and neonatal-care advocates warned it would remove oversight of neonatal intensive care units and could lower quality.