{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-5368.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-5368.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-5368.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-5368.html"}],"law_id":86597,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86597,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5368","catch_line":"Southwest Virginia Health Authority established","history":"2007, c. 676; 2009, c. 464; 2014, c. 236; 2015, c. 741.","full_text":"A\n\nThere is hereby established a Health Authority for the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions, the Counties of Smyth and Washington, and the City of Bristol.B\n\nThe General Assembly recognizes that rural communities such as those served by the Authority confront unique challenges in the effort to improve health care outcomes and access to quality health care. It is important to facilitate the provision of quality, cost-efficient medical care to rural patients. The provision of care by local providers is important to enhancing, fostering, and creating opportunities that advance health status and provide health-related economic benefits. The Authority shall establish regional health goals directed at improving access to care, advancing health status, targeting regional health issues, promoting technological advancement, ensuring accountability of the cost of care, enhancing academic engagement in regional health, strengthening the workforce for health-related careers, and improving health entity collaboration and regional integration where appropriate.C\n\nTechnological and improved scientific methods have contributed to the improvement of health care in the Commonwealth. The cost of improved technology and improved scientific methods for the provision of hospital care, particularly in rural communities, contributes substantially to the increasing cost of hospital care. Cost increases make it increasingly difficult for hospitals in rural areas of the Commonwealth, including those areas served by the Authority, to offer care. Cooperative agreements among hospitals and between hospitals and others for the provision of health care services may foster improvements in the quality of health care, moderate increases in cost, improve access to needed services in rural areas of the Commonwealth, and enhance the likelihood that smaller hospitals in the Commonwealth will remain open in beneficial service to their communities.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":310148,"text":"There is hereby established a Health Authority for the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions, the Counties of Smyth and Washington, and the City of Bristol.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":310149,"text":"The General Assembly recognizes that rural communities such as those served by the Authority confront unique challenges in the effort to improve health care outcomes and access to quality health care. It is important to facilitate the provision of quality, cost-efficient medical care to rural patients. The provision of care by local providers is important to enhancing, fostering, and creating opportunities that advance health status and provide health-related economic benefits. The Authority shall establish regional health goals directed at improving access to care, advancing health status, targeting regional health issues, promoting technological advancement, ensuring accountability of the cost of care, enhancing academic engagement in regional health, strengthening the workforce for health-related careers, and improving health entity collaboration and regional integration where appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":310150,"text":"Technological and improved scientific methods have contributed to the improvement of health care in the Commonwealth. The cost of improved technology and improved scientific methods for the provision of hospital care, particularly in rural communities, contributes substantially to the increasing cost of hospital care. Cost increases make it increasingly difficult for hospitals in rural areas of the Commonwealth, including those areas served by the Authority, to offer care. Cooperative agreements among hospitals and between hospitals and others for the provision of health care services may foster improvements in the quality of health care, moderate increases in cost, improve access to needed services in rural areas of the Commonwealth, and enhance the likelihood that smaller hospitals in the Commonwealth will remain open in beneficial service to their communities.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12722,"edition_id":1,"name":"Southwest Virginia Health Authority","identifier":"53.1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12721,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":159089,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12722,"identifier":"53.1","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12721,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Governmental Entities","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":157897,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12721,"identifier":"IV","token":"15.2\/IV","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":86597,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5368","catch_line":"Southwest Virginia Health Authority established","url":"\/15.2-5368\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5368","metadata":false},{"id":71913,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5369","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-5369\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5369","metadata":false},{"id":68006,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5370","catch_line":"Directors; qualifications; terms; vacancies","url":"\/15.2-5370\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5370","metadata":false},{"id":55915,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5371","catch_line":"Decisions of Authority","url":"\/15.2-5371\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5371","metadata":false},{"id":68290,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5372","catch_line":"Payment to members of Authority","url":"\/15.2-5372\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5372","metadata":false},{"id":75786,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5373","catch_line":"Executive director; staff","url":"\/15.2-5373\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5373","metadata":false},{"id":66549,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5374","catch_line":"Powers of Authority","url":"\/15.2-5374\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5374","metadata":false},{"id":68093,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5375","catch_line":"Appropriations to Authority","url":"\/15.2-5375\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5375","metadata":false},{"id":57298,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5376","catch_line":"Issuance of bonds by participating localities and validation thereof","url":"\/15.2-5376\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5376","metadata":false},{"id":68335,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5377","catch_line":"Issuance and sale of bonds","url":"\/15.2-5377\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5377","metadata":false},{"id":70989,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5378","catch_line":"Provisions to secure payment of bonds","url":"\/15.2-5378\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5378","metadata":false},{"id":55441,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5379","catch_line":"Bonds made legal investments","url":"\/15.2-5379\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5379","metadata":false},{"id":54264,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5380","catch_line":"Bonds payable from revenues of hospital or health centers","url":"\/15.2-5380\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5380","metadata":false},{"id":85880,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5381","catch_line":"Property of Authority exempt from foreclosure or execution sale and judgment lien","url":"\/15.2-5381\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5381","metadata":false},{"id":61218,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5382","catch_line":"Receiver","url":"\/15.2-5382\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5382","metadata":false},{"id":54567,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5383","catch_line":"Eminent domain","url":"\/15.2-5383\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5383","metadata":false},{"id":53941,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5384","catch_line":"Records and reports","url":"\/15.2-5384\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5384","metadata":false},{"id":72798,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5384.1","catch_line":"Review of cooperative agreements","url":"\/15.2-5384.1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5384.1","metadata":false},{"id":55214,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5385","catch_line":"Chapter supplemental; application of other laws; consent of local governing bodies or other agencies not required","url":"\/15.2-5385\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5385","metadata":false},{"id":77178,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5386","catch_line":"Limitations of the Authority","url":"\/15.2-5386\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5386","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":71913,"structure_id":12722,"section_number":"15.2-5369","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-5369\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5369","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-5368\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 676<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2009, chapter 464<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 236<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 741<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":159091,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86597,"identifier":"15.2-5368","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5368","url":"\/15.2-5368\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-5368\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/53.1\/15.2-5368","dublin_core":{"Title":"Southwest Virginia Health Authority established","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-5368","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> There is hereby established a Health Authority<\/span> for the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions, the Counties of Smyth and Washington, and the City<\/span> of Bristol. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The General Assembly recognizes that rural communities such as those served by the Authority<\/span> confront unique challenges in the effort to improve health care outcomes and access to quality health care. It is important to facilitate the provision of quality, cost-efficient medical care to rural patients. The provision of care by local providers is important to enhancing, fostering, and creating opportunities that advance health status and provide health-related economic benefits. The Authority<\/span> shall establish regional health goals directed at improving access to care, advancing health status, targeting regional health issues<\/span>, promoting technological advancement, ensuring accountability of the cost of care, enhancing academic engagement in regional health, strengthening the workforce for health-related careers, and improving health entity collaboration and regional integration where appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Technological and improved scientific methods have contributed to the improvement of health care in the Commonwealth. The cost of improved technology and improved scientific methods for the provision of hospital<\/span> care, particularly in rural communities, contributes substantially to the increasing cost of hospital<\/span> care. Cost increases make it increasingly difficult for hospitals<\/span> in rural areas of the Commonwealth, including those areas served by the Authority<\/span>, to offer care. Cooperative agreements<\/span> among hospitals<\/span> and between hospitals<\/span> and others for the provision of health care services may foster improvements in the quality of health care, moderate increases in cost, improve access to needed services in rural areas of the Commonwealth, and enhance the likelihood that smaller hospitals<\/span> in the Commonwealth will remain open in beneficial service to their communities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HEALTH AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED (\u00a7 15.2-5368)\n\nA. There is hereby established a Health Authority for the LENOWISCO and\nCumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions, the Counties of Smyth and\nWashington, and the City of Bristol.\n\nB. The General Assembly recognizes that rural communities such as those served\nby the Authority confront unique challenges in the effort to improve health care\noutcomes and access to quality health care. It is important to facilitate the\nprovision of quality, cost-efficient medical care to rural patients. The\nprovision of care by local providers is important to enhancing, fostering, and\ncreating opportunities that advance health status and provide health-related\neconomic benefits. The Authority shall establish regional health goals directed\nat improving access to care, advancing health status, targeting regional health\nissues, promoting technological advancement, ensuring accountability of the cost\nof care, enhancing academic engagement in regional health, strengthening the\nworkforce for health-related careers, and improving health entity collaboration\nand regional integration where appropriate.\n\nC. Technological and improved scientific methods have contributed to the\nimprovement of health care in the Commonwealth. The cost of improved technology\nand improved scientific methods for the provision of hospital care, particularly\nin rural communities, contributes substantially to the increasing cost of\nhospital care. Cost increases make it increasingly difficult for hospitals in\nrural areas of the Commonwealth, including those areas served by the Authority,\nto offer care. Cooperative agreements among hospitals and between hospitals and\nothers for the provision of health care services may foster improvements in the\nquality of health care, moderate increases in cost, improve access to needed\nservices in rural areas of the Commonwealth, and enhance the likelihood that\nsmaller hospitals in the Commonwealth will remain open in beneficial service to\ntheir communities.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, c. 676; 2009, c. 464; 2014, c. 236; 2015, c. 741.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}