THE VOICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN VIRGINIA.

The 2026 Virginia General Assembly has adjourned. Emergency physicians closely watched several major policy debates, including a proposal to dramatically raise Virginia’s medical malpractice cap, legislation affecting physician assistant practice authority, new restrictions on healthcare non-compete agreements, and ongoing efforts to address workplace violence and behavioral health challenges in the Commonwealth’s healthcare system. Here’s a recap.

Learn when and how emergency physicians in Virginia can obtain a medical TDO to continue medically necessary stabilization and treatment when a patient lacks decision-making capacity.

In a late session move, the General Assembly is pushing legislation that would increase Virginia’s medical malpractice cap.

When choosing induction agents, does ketamine decrease the risk of death compared to etomidate? Authors, reviewers, and editors from VCU Health, Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine review a December 2025 NEJM article to find out.

ACEP President Dr. L. Anthony Cirillo told Virginia emergency physicians, residents, and med students that mounting pressures from insurers, workforce shortages and political polarization demand unity, advocacy, and a renewed focus on the profession’s purpose.

At the end of the fourth week of the Virginia General Assembly, we offer a look at a few key pieces of EM-impacting legislation.