Hospital Bill Introduced by Del. Williams Signed Into Law By Governor Youngkin

RICHMOND, VA – Friday afternoon, Delegate Williams’ (R – Stuart) hospital bill, HB 1305, as amended, was signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin after it passed both chambers uncontested during session. HB1305 secures the former Patrick County hospital’s license as an acute care and critical access hospital for a future provider to resume operating a similar hospital in Patrick.

“Since our Patrick County hospital closed in 2017, we continue to live day after day without a hospital or even a vital emergency room in our community,” Williams said. “In a health emergency, seconds matter and our nearest emergency room is over 30 minutes away in Martinsville, Virginia. The transport time has also strained our EMS volunteers to their limits.”

“Our community desperately needs a local hospital and emergency room. Passing this bill is a huge step towards reopening our Patrick County hospital. It cuts through the red tape and makes it more attractive for a provider to come in and re-open our hospital and emergency room. I will keep working to get Patrick County the access to healthcare it needs.”

Delegate Wren Williams introduced HB1305 in the House on January 21st, 2022 as a reopening feasibility study. Through collaboration with Senator Bill Stanley, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hospital Association, Delegate Williams amended HB1305 to its final form, aiding the effort to reopen Patrick County’s hospital.

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Wren Williams is currently the sitting delegate representing Virginia’s 9th House District, serving on the Committee on Public Safety, Committee on Privileges and Elections, and the Committee on Courts of Justice. Prior to running for the House of Delegates, Wren served as Chairman of the Patrick County Republican Committee, where he increased membership, helped flip the board of supervisors to Republican control, and raised money to make Patrick County one of the most active Republican Committees in the Commonwealth, earning the Republican Party of Virginia’s “Unit of the Year” award. During the 2020 election, Wren traveled the country to help the Republican National Committee (RNC) and President Trump fight for voter integrity in the courtroom in Wisconsin. Outside of politics, Wren lives in Stuart, Va. with his wife, Britt, where they own and operate Schneider & Williams Law Firm.