Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter shares the impacts of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” on Virginians, reflects on a recent Shadowing the Senator experience hosted by my office, provides information on upcoming Mobile Office Hours and the Senate Page Program, and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed. 

One Big Looming Disaster

With the recent Congressional passage of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), Virginia now faces grim realities. The OBBB threatens to unravel years of progress by cutting Medicaid, SNAP, reproductive health care, and rural health funding, all of which is being done in order to finance tax breaks for the wealthy. The harm we will see to our communities is unprecedented.

Virginia’s 1.8 million Medicaid enrollees—low‑income families, seniors, people with disabilities, working parents—are now in jeopardy. Federally mandated work requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, co-pays, and stripped ACA subsidies will force many off coverage, not because they do not deserve care, but because the bureaucratic barriers are designed to harm, not to protect. What will be the result of these changes to Medicaid? Sicker Virginians, heavier burdens on our hospitals, and more strains on our rural health-care systems that are now at risk of collapse.

Even before the passage of the OBBB, rural hospitals—such as those in Tazewell and Southampton—were flirting with closure. Cutting Medicaid reimbursements is not just shortsighted; it is a disaster for families who depend on nearby emergency care, maternal healthcare services, mental health treatment programs, and more.

Worse still, the bill specifically undermines reproductive health. Under OBBB, any clinic that provides abortions—such as Planned Parenthood—will be barred from receiving Medicaid funding for any services for one year, even if those services are not abortion-related. This means that clinics offering birth control, STI screenings, cancer, and Pap tests will lose crucial federal reimbursement, putting 1 in 3 Planned Parenthood centers at risk of closure and pulling care away from over 1 million patients, many of whom rely on Medicaid.

Medicaid funds preventive and reproductive services. Nearly 85% of Medicaid users receive contraceptives, and 57% receive STI care via Planned Parenthood. Cutting funding jeopardizes access to basic care such as birth control, STD treatment, breast/cervical cancer screenings, and prenatal support. Clinics in underserved and rural areas will likely be forced to shut, increasing health disparities.

Even if other federally qualified health centers are expected to absorb the patients displaced from Planned Parenthood, evidence suggests they cannot keep up with the need and demand for services. Closure or reduction of reproductive services at Planned Parenthood clinics can overwhelm alternate clinics, leaving many without timely care.

Additionally, the OBBB will decimate SNAP, stripping food security from hundreds of thousands of Virginians. Food assistance programs will be impacted as

• More adults, including parents of school-age kids, need to meet work requirements
• States bear significantly more cost and administrative load
• Benefits remain flat even as food prices rise
• Nutrition programs vanish
• Certain lawfully-present immigrant communities lose safety net access
• Bureaucratic penalties lead to tighter eligibility or state program cuts

The OBBB is not fiscal responsibility; it is a partisan attack on our most vulnerable. The message to working families, seniors, children, rural communities, and those relying on basic public support is “You’ll have to fend for yourself.”

Shadowing the Senator

Last week, my office hosted another participant in the "Shadowing the Senator" program: Priyanka. A high school student, Priyanka, sought out the shadowing opportunity to learn more about the intersectionality of technology, education, and advocacy. Her shadowing day consisted of attending The Hunt Institute's discussions for its Virginia Education Summit, a tour of the State Capitol and the General Assembly Building, and one-on-one meetings with me and my staff. Priyanka shared these reflections on her experience with my office:

"Spending the day with Senator Hashmi and her team was a transformative experience. I experienced an inspiring glimpse into public service and was reminded of how deeply one person can impact a community through empathy, intellect, and grace. Every conversation I observed, from policy discussions to personal interactions, reinforced my belief in the power of servant leadership. I walked away with not only a stronger understanding of governance, but a renewed sense of purpose. Through my shadowing experience, I learned that leadership isn’t reserved for a select few, but is rather something we can all grow into, one act of service at a time. This experience will stay with me for years to come!"

The 2026 Senate Page Program

The application form for the 2026 Senate Page Program is now live. The Senate Page Program offers a unique opportunity for young Virginians to learn about policy making and state government processes. Applicants must be residents of the Commonwealth and either 13 or 14 years old on January 14, 2026, the first day of the new session. 

Pages perform administrative duties, participate in team building, undergo rigorous civics education, and help with day-to-day operations of the General Assembly. While immersed in the program, Pages live in Richmond throughout the duration of the General Assembly, visiting home on the weekends. The well-structured program provides time for Pages to keep up with schoolwork while also engaging in General Assembly activities. 

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Questions may be directed to [email protected] or (804) 698-7410.

Mobile Office Hours - Monday, July 14

Next Monday, July 14, my staff will be hosting Mobile Office Hours at Meadowdale Library in Chesterfield County from 5:00PM until 6:30PM. Staff will be able to assist with casework involving state agencies, discuss legislative concerns, and receive feedback from constituents on issues that matter to them. Registration is open. ¿Necesita servicios en español? Haga clic aquí. Future mobile office hours will be announced in this newsletter, as well as on my Facebook, Instagram, and X. 

Select Community Engagements

On Wednesday morning, I joined Democratic nominee for Governor, Abigail Spanberger, and faith leaders from across Central Virginia for a breakfast hosted by Delegate Mike Jones. We had the opportunity to share a vision of governance that includes the power of service to community.   

In the evening, I traveled to Alexandria to join Black Women on Deck for a meet-and-greet with community leaders. The energy and engagement of attendees was truly inspiring as so many spoke for a more just and equitable Virginia and for a meaningful response to the chaos and distraction coming from Washington, DC.

Friday was a celebratory day as I joined Fourth of July Parades in Dale City and Fairfax City along with many amazing candidates along with Democratic nominee for Governor Abigail Spanberger and Democratic nominee for Attorney General Jay Jones.

On Saturday, I was delighted to deliver remarks at the 75th Diamond Anniversary Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. For this important anniversary, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community selected Richmond as its host city, and the event brought close to 10,000 attendees from across the country and overseas. Along with Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and other elected officials, I was pleased to welcome the conference attendees to our capital city.

Connecting With My Office

My office can be reached at the following:

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone:  804.698.7515

If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
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Richmond, VA 23235
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