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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Dec. 4, 2024:

Kaine introduces bill to protect US supply chain for essential drugs
Reported by VPM News’ Adrienne Hoar McGibbon

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) introduced the Protect Our Essential Medicines Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a list of vital drugs whose supply could be vulnerable in the case of a future pandemic or epidemic.

Kaine told VPM News he hoped the law would safeguard against future supply chain issues and protect Americans from drug shortages.

“These drug shortages issues are becoming more and more frequent,” the senator said. “They’re hard to predict, and all of a sudden they hit you, and it really affects operations and it affects patient care.”

As of September, there were active national shortages of nearly 280 drugs, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists — including basic and life-saving medicines such as antibiotics and drugs used for chemotherapy.

Future funding for Chesterfield’s Med-Flight partnership in doubt
Reported by VPM News’ Billy Shields

A crucial public service in Chesterfield could be in jeopardy if its funding is not secured in the future, county officials say.

Med-Flight, a partnership between the Virginia State Police and the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Service that provides medevac flights and assists in search-and-rescue operations, is facing a budget shortfall of about $1.4 million next year. The money would cover the cost of two onboard flight medics.

“We are a little concerned about where the future of the funding for that program lies,” Natalie Spillman, a lobbyist for the county, told a group of state lawmakers and county boards at a joint breakfast Tuesday morning at the Beulah Recreation Center.

In other news:

• Family of late VCU student Adam Oakes settles wrongful death lawsuit (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

• An affordable housing boom? Plans for thousands of income-based units show sector’s momentum in Richmond (Richmond BizSense)* 

• Va. Dept. of Transportation estimates Hurricane Helene debris cleanup will take 3 to 6 months (Virginia Mercury) 

In case you missed it:

• Richmond schools need $43.7 million in immediate repairs, find reports on building conditions (The Richmonder) 

• Virginia senator wants to ban investment firms from buying single-family homes among other reforms (WRIC) 

• Fifth container that held toxic chemical from Radford arsenal found (The Roanoke Times)* 

*This outlet utilizes a paywall.