As an actively practicing physician in a major healthcare system in Virginia, I support Virginia's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

RGGI has done what it was designed to do - reduce emissions.  Cleaner air in turn  translates into better health outcomes by cutting the rates of disease exacerbations.  Manion et al, 2017 estimated reduction of hundreds acute bronchitis, heart attacks, premature adult deaths, and thousands of asthma exacerbations.  The healthcare costs associated with the emergency room visits and hospitalization of these diseases are staggering, in the realms of billions of dollars, not to mention the cost of unemployment and under-employment associated with missed work-days.

An even more recent study in 2020 by Perera et al. found that RGGI was associated with reduction of not just hundreds of childhood asthma cases, but found associated benefits in autism spectrum disorders and pre-term births.  

I've taken care of many Virginians whose lives were affected by air pollution.  As we all know, preventative medicine is much more cost-effective and results in better health outcomes for our community.  I strongly urge you to vote AGAINST the repeal.  Virginia needs to stay in RGGI for the health of our friends, neighbors, and family.