Health insurance; essential health benefits benchmark plan selection.

This legislation updates the process by which Virginia selects its "essential health benefits" benchmark plan. These state-defined plans set the minimum standard of coverage that insurance companies must provide to consumers in the individual and small-group markets. By streamlining the selection criteria and aligning them with federal guidelines, the bill ensures that Arlington residents have consistent access to a comprehensive suite of medical services, including mental health care, prescription drugs, and maternity coverage. The primary effect of this update is to stabilize insurance requirements, preventing a reduction in covered services and ensuring that local families can continue to rely on robust, predictable health insurance protections that meet evolving medical needs without unexpected gaps in coverage.